Plantation Jamaica 2003 Rum

If you told me a few years ago I would be raving about a Plantation rum, I'd have thought the idea mad. Long story short, they have some no-dosage releases in the past few years (and which are good), and the most recent vintages are full transparency and with all the details one could want on the rear of the bottle.

I transitioned into rum from whisky some years ago, and would not consider myself expert. Nevertheless this is a spectacular rum. Bright and vibrant and wholly engaging of the senses. If I had to give a headline and nothing else I would say 'The best part of any possible rum cocktail'. It has the spiciness and zest of a mojito, and more powerful is the bursting fruitiness of a daquiri, and perhaps not quite as sweet as a mai tai or rum punch, it still has that natural sugariness.

Jesus, where to start? Citrus blends with the Jamaican heritage quite well throughout, but the fruits also include, white, yellow, very particularly red, and also tropical fruits. Holy hell it's got lemon, apple, raspberry, and pineapple. It's a fruit orgy dammit, both on the nose and the palate, but the spiciness is pronounced on the palate and finish. And the finish is very, very long... mostly lime zest and then chili pepper going on and on. And on.

Not relevant really, but the packaging is also beautiful. I would say this competes with some of the Foursquare exceptional casks in quality. Not quite that top level, but close. Wow.