Planteray : XO 20th Anniversary

Tasting notes and characteristics of the Planteray XO 20th Anniversary

Tasting

Appearance
This rum displays a deep amber hue, adorned with golden, coppery and orange highlights. Its silky viscosity leaves slow tears on the sides of the glass, testifying to its richness.

Nose
The bouquet is extremely indulgent and expressive. It opens on dominant notes of toasted, milky coconut, vanilla, caramel and milk chocolate. This pastry-like ensemble is complemented by aromas of very ripe exotic fruits, such as banana and mango, all supported by a background of soft wood and light spices.

Palate
The texture proves round, creamy and particularly smooth. The aromatic palette confirms the promises of the nose, focusing on vanilla, coconut, caramel and chocolate, accompanied by tropical fruits. The balance leans resolutely towards sweetness and indulgence, offering a very long, rich and silky finish, marked by the persistence of coconut and vanilla.

Pairings and tasting moments
This spirit is ideally enjoyed neat, at the end of a meal or in the evening, served at room temperature or on the rocks to slightly temper its sweetness. Its highly indulgent profile calls for harmonious pairings with chocolate, caramel or coconut desserts, such as a chocolate-coconut tart or a molten cake. It can also accompany dairy and fruity desserts like a mango cheesecake, or even create an interesting contrast with soft, creamy cheeses or light blue cheeses.

Mixology
Although first and foremost a sipping rum, its rich and velvety structure allows it to shine in revisited classic "spirit-forward" cocktails. The brand notably recommends it as an XO Old Fashioned, paired with Demerara sugar syrup and bitters, or as an XO Manhattan, combined with sweet vermouth and orange bitters.

An exceptionally indulgent extra-old rum from Barbados

Planteray: the alliance of Caribbean terroir and Charentais expertise
Direct heir to the former Plantation brand, Planteray is a brand undergoing reinvention, renamed to distance itself from the historical connotations linked to slavery and to refocus its identity on sugarcane and the influence of its craftsmanship. Owned by Maison Ferrand, a major player in cognac, the brand is led by Alexandre Gabriel, master blender and central creative figure. The heart of its production relies on the West Indies Rum Distillery, a historic distillery acquired in 2017, which enables it to master the elaboration of its Rum from Barbados. Planteray stands out for its mastery of double ageing: an initial maturation under tropical climate, followed by continental refinement at Château de Bonbonnet, in Charente, in cognac casks. This unique approach combines the intensity of exotic terroirs with the elegance of French ageing.

The making of the XO 20th Anniversary: an exceptional double ageing
Initially created to celebrate Alexandre Gabriel's twenty-year career as master blender, the XO 20th Anniversary is the emblematic cuvée and the cornerstone of the brand's Barbadian range. This rum is elaborated exclusively from molasses, distilled at the West Indies Rum Distillery using a combination of columns and pot stills.

This rum is the result of a meticulous blend of extra-old distillates. Although it is a non-vintage spirit without an official numerical age statement, the components of this blend benefit from a long maturation. The elaboration method is based on a distinctive double ageing: the spirit first rests for many years under the hot and humid tropical climate of Barbados, in bourbon and American white oak casks. It then crosses the ocean to reach France, where it undergoes a continental refinement of 12 to 24 months in small Ferrand cognac casks.

Presented in a luxurious decanter, this Barbados rum is one of the most awarded in its category, accumulating more than sixty-five gold medals at international competitions. It embodies the perfect synthesis between exotic richness and the technical mastery of Charentais ageing.