Plantation Peru 2004 Rum
Peru
43.5%
£46.95
“Rum” – from a modern multi column still.
ABV Hydrometer Test: 42.5% ABV @ 20°
* M S
One of Plantation’s new range of bottlings released in 2018, the “2004 Vintage Edition” from Peru, comes in at a precise 43.5% and is produced from the column still used at Destilerías Unidas S.A. de Peru, makers of Ron Cartavio (and possibly also Millonario).
Plantation have taken their rums in a fresh, new direction in 2018, in terms of their labelling and the big improvement in information offered, which I must say, I do admire and appreciate. The labelling includes details of the fermentation (three days), type of still used (column), the distillery (D.U.S.A de Peru). Although the label does not reference Plantation’s addition of sweeteners/additives in this bottle (Plantation refer to it as “dosage”) a quick visit to their web site shows that they declare 8g/l of dosage is present in this rum as well as 190 g/hL AA volatile substances. I tested the rum with my hydrometer and it measured 42.5% implying around 7g/l of additives, which, allowing for a margin of error, confirms Plantation’s declaration.
This rum has had 14 years of ageing in total – 12 years of tropical ageing in Peru in ex-Bourbon and Slovenian oak casks, followed by two years in 350 litre Maison Ferrand casks in France.
Under Richard Seale’s/Luca Gargano’s proposed rum categorisation, this would most-likely be classed as “Rum” – from a modern multi column still.
I had a sneak preview tasting of this at Imbibe in June, so have been looking forward to getting a bottle to myself.
Bottle/Presentation 3/3
The bottle is wrapped in Plantation’s familiar raffia and is a traditional shape, featuring a cork enclosure. The labels have seen a big improvement in disclosure and labelling (see above). In addition to info we want about the rum i.e. how it was made, there are also detailed tasting notes.
Full marks for Plantation’s bottling here!
Glass/Aroma 7/10
The rum displays thick, heavy legs that are medium paced dropping down the sides of the glass. Colour-wise, it is a medium amber with an orange glow to it.
Initial aromas are pastry, nutmeg, citrus, smokey oak, banana and something almost like butter cream. Subsequent nosings reveal some ripe tropical fruit notes.
Taste, Initial-middle 28/40
The entry is light and thin. Vanilla, a touch of white pepper and some nutmeg.
Taste, Middle/Throat 34/40
In the mid-palate it becomes a little syrupy, almost oily at times. It is thick but not heavy. There is vanilla, banana and a good fiery spicy pepper develops. The more you sip this, the more noticeable the oak influence becomes along with some tropical fruit notes of mango and papaya alongside stewed apples.
Afterburn 6/7
The rum continues to linger in the back of the throat some time after swallowing. The peppery spice from the rear of the palate becomes more prominent, balanced nicely with some dry oak and sweet caramelised apples.
TOTAL 78/100
Overall
First things first, hats off to Plantation for improving their information and openly declaring the additives in the rum. That said, let’s not pretend that “dosage” is a term in the rum world – it is borrowed (stolen?) from Champagne making.
Furthermore, the additives in this rum are far reduced when compared to previous Plantation bottlings – again, well done, although let’s see the next set of bottlings reduced to zero additives.
Taste and flavour-wise, this is pretty good. Put aside your images of syrupy Millonario or incredibly sweet and sickly Cartavio as this is really good juice. I would prefer it to be unsweetened as I do not think it needs it, but as we all know, the sweet stuff sells really well.
I am finding myself enjoying Plantation rums more and more as time goes by…..or is that as less gets added? 😉
Either way…Well done Plantation – this is good stuff!
Review No. 110
*
P Denotes the rum contains POT still distillate.
C Denotes the rum contains traditional/Coffey COLUMN still distillate.
B Denotes the rum contains a BLEND of POT and COLUMN still distillate.
M Denotes the rum contains MULTI-COLUMN still distillate or is a MODERN rum.
A Denotes the rum is an AGRICOLE i.e. from Cane Juice.
S Denotes the rum is presented in a SWEETENED style.
Marking Guide:
Bottle/Presentation Out of 3
Glass/Aroma Out of 10
Taste, Initial-middle Out of 40
Taste, Middle/Throat Out of 40
Afterburn Out of 7
TOTAL 100
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