The final of the 3 rums we bought to enjoy on vacation – Plantation XO 20th Anniversary was a rum to indulge in on the trip. To honor their Master Blender, Plantation started this rum in ex-Bourbon barrels for 8 – 15 years, before sailing it across the Atlantic to be aged in french oak casks used for a variety of purposes. After 2-10 years, 20 g/L dosage is added, along with color to even out batches. So does all this work make a great rum?
So is Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Any Good?
Plantation is really quite a nice rum, despite having a nose that’s a little hotter than average. The alcohol parts and allows vanilla, demerara sugar, golden raisins, and honey to come through. On the palate it’s more on the dark size, having molasses, dates, roasted coconut, and brown sugar. The sweeter side hides some of the rum, and it doesn’t quite feel as thick. The finish is on the tropical side.
Overall, we like Plantation XO 20th Anniversary, even though we didn’t have the time to make a lot of drinks with it. The flavor worked well on it’s own, but also in some of the rough shod tiki drinks we created. At $40 it’s fairly priced, expensive enough that you’re going to enjoy it but maybe not cheap enough to justify hunting down to mix.
Raw Tasting Notes
Nick: The nose is a bit on the hot end of the spectrum. Below the alcohol vanilla, golden raisins, and light brown sugar place nicely. A hint of ripe banana also touches the nose. A darker spice comes in at the start of the palate, adding a woody, molasses note. Caramel, roasted coconut, and preserved mango join in. A mild sweetness is present, and the body is somewhat thinner. The finish is like dried tropical fruit with touches of sugar.
Overall, I feel like I want to enjoy Plantation XO more than I do. It’s a nice rum, but at the price I can’t help but feel it isn’t that nice a rum. There’s a certain amount of cigar or sandalwood like character here. Maybe a hint of cognac because of the aging.
Ann Marie: Smell: a bit grain alcohol-like. Also notes of demerara sugar, vanilla, apricot jam, honey, and dates. Taste: dates, dried apricots, honey, brown sugar, caramel, and oak chips. Definitely on the sweeter side rather than spice compared to other rums. The flavor dissipates more quickly but coats your mouth, feeling like you’re eating dried fruit out of trail mix.
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