Plantation - 3 Stars White Rum 70cl, 41.2% ABV, Barbados, Jamaica & Trinidad

Product Information

In the glass the rum looks much like Bacardi or even a vodka. The nose isn’t particularly impressive. It’s mainly a nose of strong alcohol, there is a little hint of the Jamaican rum in the blend but little else. When sipped the rum doesn’t offer much beyond the realms of many other white rums. It’s pretty harsh. Initially it sips quite well and is reasonably smooth but it is has a very strong taste when swallowed and burns quite a lot in both the throat and on the taste buds. It tingles and stays with you for a long time. Flavour wise there doesn’t seem to be much going on beyond the strong boozy feel of the spirit. I get a little bit of the Jamaican funk in the mix but certainly nothing which is jumping out at me. Whilst this is noted as being a white/silver rum, you will also note from the photo’s that Veritas has a yellow-ish haze to it. It is not ruthlessly filtered. The actual components of the rum are as follows:

This is really quite a complex rum, it starts off all Jamaican and then gently blends into the Bajan rum. Giving you quite a two-dimensional experience. That doesn’t really work – but I’m sure you get what I’m trying to say. Their rum is unique in the sense that it is made using traditional methods and aged in oak barrels, giving it a distinct flavor profile that is unlike any other rum. Sip: The palate is soft and round – it begins smoothly with plenty ripe plantain, touches of marzipan, toasted sugar, and subtle tropical fruit notes. A touch of almost argicole like green herb hides at the edge, and a gradual heat builds. There’s also a good amount of sweetness throughout. Smell: The nose starts off with a great amount of pineapple and miscellaneous tropical fruit. There’s something candied like about it – almost like a white coconut. There are notes of alcohol and subtle vanilla, banana (both ripe and green), and marzipan that also waft out. WARNING: be VERY careful handling dry ice – do not let it touch exposed skin. We use gloves and tongs to transfer into each glass. You only need a very small sliver to create the effect. If you add to much, the drink will start to freeze.When it comes to the Daiquiri, that classic mix of rum, lime juice and sugar, choosing the right base spirit is crucial to crafting a standout serve – and you’d be hard pressed to find a bartender who doesn’t have an opinion on the best rum for the job. Man oh man, do I love rum. I believe it is the most versatile spirit out there. It’s light, it’s dark, it’s sweet, it’s dry, it’s fruit flavored, it’s spiced, and it takes to oak very well so with age it can drink like a woody whiskey or fine brandy. So many amazing rums! [I recommend] Don Q Cristal, Probitas White Blended, Ron del Barrilito, Real McCoy 5 Year, [and] Plantation 3 Star.” — David A. Roth, Head Bartender, Covina, NYC The rear label on the bottle explains what Veritas is expected to be used f or and there is also a little swipe at bottlers who “dose” their rums.

We’ve been longtime fans of the spirits released by Plantation Rum. The line comes from the same company that produces Pierre Ferrand Cognac and is blended by the same folks who work on the cognac. For their Plantation Rum line, Cognac Ferrand buys amazing rum from a variety of rum producing islands and then blends and ages the rum in cognac barrels in France. The results have been nothing short of spectacular. I have played with doing rum blends for a Daiquiri, but [that is] putting too much work into a drink I’m going to chin in two seconds. For me, it’s like people doing twists on Negronis: don’t take it too far.” If you think about it, the Daiquiri is a drink with only three ingredients, that’s why the choice of the rum is really important, it will give the character to the drink.

Plantation 3 Stars

As far as a white rum is concerned, it certainly has a lot going on. At 47% ABV, it is admittedly stronger than most white rums. One favourite is Veritas from Foursquare distillery, made with a blend of three rums coming from Foursquare and Hampden Estate. It gives the Daiquiri the right amount of exotic notes, you feel the green and the fruits, grass and bananas. It makes the Daiquiri a really complex drink.” At the moment I’m into Takamaka Rum Blanc from the Seychelles – it sits in that bright and clean category of rums which are great for making outrageously refreshing Daiquiris.”