Talk about keeping a promise and delivering results. Maison Ferrand has left me mesmerized with the new name change for legendary Plantation Rum. This is a perfect example of the commonly used phrase “walk the talk.”
15 years ago, when I started venturing into the interesting world of rum outside of Puerto Rico, two brands caught my attention. Starting with Ministry of Rum by Ed Hamilton, which I kind of knew already for the website but hadn’t tried their expressions. Secondly, Plantation Rum. In my opinion, these two brands made it easy for consumers to try rum expressions from countries like Belize, Peru, Reunion Island, Fiji, and other countries I assumed made rum, but they didn’t necessarily export to the US market.
Another thing that really caught my attention was how Plantation Rums really prioritizes bartenders with feedback to develop future expressions. Out of this, great expressions like Stiggins’ Fancy and O.F.T.D. have been created. Fast forward: Plantation Rum has become a staple brand in dozens of countries.
Today, they launched what will be the official new name of Plantation Rum, which is Planteray Rum. The name itself seems interesting. I wonder if they are mixing two words together: “plant” for vegetation and terroir, and “ray” for the rays of the sun. Their logo has always seemed to me to have characteristics of either a sunrise or a sunset.
Below is a brief overview of their most recent press release:
Maison Ferrand and West Indies Rum Distillery are delighted to announce the international launch of Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum, an artisanal rum crafted entirely in Barbados and infused with coconut derived from the country. This limited-edition rum is now accessible beyond the Caribbean region. Today, local media attended a press conference at West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) to officially announce the introduction of Cut & Dry Coconut Rum as the first rum produced by Planteray Rum, formerly known as Plantation Rum.
Cut & Dry was the result of four years of experimentation to find the ideal ratios of natural coconut infusion for WIRD’s delectable Barbadian rum. In order to encapsulate the spirit of Barbados, the ancestral homeland of rum, WIRD established collaborations with indigenous coconut cultivators who have fortified the kingdom with delectable coconuts for generations.
“By celebrating Barbados’ rich heritage and promoting the island as a center for premium craft products, our partnership with local coconut farmers serves to honor that island’s rich heritage,” says Andrew Hassell, managing director of WIRD. “For over a century and a half, the distillery has served as a pillar of the regional rum industry, and we make significant community investments. “We are honoured to procure local coconuts and molasses in order to manufacture Planteray Cut & Dry, an authentic Barbados product.”
TASTING NOTES
Nose: Intense, it starts on coconut pulp with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and sesame oil.
Palate: Round, delivering coconut milk, vanilla, banana and green ginger, with soft touches of molasses and fresh herbal notes.
Finish: Very long on coconut, pepper, and vanilla.
PLANTERAY RUM
Production, distribution, and marketing of the rum brand formerly known as Plantation Rum will commence under the name Planteray in January 2024. The sole modification to the container is the name of the rum contained within. Planteray Rums are served at the finest establishments in the world and are readily identifiable due to their raffia-wrapped vessels. Planteray Rum embodies the finest rum terroirs in extraordinary forms, and its double-aging process has become an unmistakable hallmark. More than 600 medals and awards have been bestowed upon the Planteray Rum line globally in recognition of its exceptional quality and ability to captivate the affections of rum enthusiasts. Barbados XO 20th Anniversary and Fancy Pineapple by Stiggins are now considered classics. Visit www.planterayrum.com and follow @PlanterayRum on Instagram for additional details.
MAISON FERRAND
Master Blender Alexandre Gabriel, who is also the creator of benchmark spirit expressions like Citadelle Gin and Planteray Rum, founded Maison Ferrand, a family-owned business known for its award-winning artisanal spirits. Maison Ferrand, with locations in Cognac and Barbados, manufactures Ferrand Cognac in accordance with 10-generation-old ancestral techniques; Planteray Rum, which honors the finest rum terroirs worldwide; and Citadelle Gin, a pioneer in artisanal gin and gin de chateau. With the support of a worldwide community of spirits aficionados and accolades from the spirits industry, Team Ferrand is devoted to the creation of spirits. Maison Ferrand Website
WEST INDIES RUM DISTILLERY
Situated amidst the pristine shores of Brighton Beach, Barbados, the West Indies Rum Distillery celebrated its 130th anniversary in 2023. Each exceptional bottle is crafted by a team of specialists utilizing a treasure trove of venerated rum stills and rum-producing equipment (including our century-old Distiller’s Vault filled with historical manuscripts), a fusion of tradition and innovation. An asset to Barbadian rum, the distillery’s objective of producing rum that is acclaimed internationally and is crafted using the most refined techniques remains unchanged from that era and is not expected to alter any time soon.
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