Notes: Made in the George  Stade Distillery (Est. 1893) now known as the West Indies Rum Distillery and owned by Maison Ferrand.

This rum is a blend of both column and pot distillation and afed near the ocean in used rum barrels for the first 3 years then shipped to Cognac France where it is barreled in Pierre Ferrand ex Cognac barrels to undergo additional aging for another 2 years. The dosage is 16 grams of sugar per liter (read about a 1/2 oz for American readers) which is relatively low. Primary purpose is to meet most consumers expectations , as almost all rum has a history of being sweetened.

Appearance: Clear gold light tan color, on swirling leaves a medium to heavy oily coating on the glass with some tears and long legs forming rapidly from the meniscus.

First Impression: Gingerbread spices.Heavy ginger and redolent of cinnamon, nutmeg and some touches of grass/cane with almond, orange, clove, citrus, dates, caramelized sugars, leather, and mahorka tobacco notes

Taste: Lighter slightly oily entry with a punch of baking spices, orange, almond esters, clove and citrus that male this rum almost taste like a spiced rum without the addition of spices. the sugar dosages makes itself known quite clearly but on the other hand, quells and refines the inherent spiciness of this rum bend to a more tolerant level.

Drinks: Definitely a great mixer for a number of tropical/tiki drinks and can hold its own against almost any or many flavors. Would suggest for a spicy Jungle Bird, Zombie, Mai Tai, Pina Colada,  or similarly complex or fruit heavy drink. Will not fade like some other rums and hold its own.

Bottle: As part of the signature blend series of Planteray Rums this rum shares many of the charecteristics of the rest of the series. Bell shaped clear glass with Ratafia net. Scalloped edge label with attractive graphics and artwork. Lower front label is rectangular and has the age statement of 5 years printed on an orange background. Bottle also has a Planteray medallion stamped on the shoulder in the glass along with “Planteray” embossed along the bottom front edge  .Fair amount of information on back label but a challenge for anyone over 30 years old to read. Composite cork closure with flat black neck capsule and a orange background and gold/bronze band with with a Aged 5 Years at the center.
Overall an attractive and eye-catching package that stands out on a shelf.

Other: This rum is part of the Planteray lines of rum  (Original Dark,  Overproof 63%, XO 2oth Anniversary,  Mauritius 2013, Isle of Fiji, Sealander,  Belize 2008, Xamaca, Cut and Dry Coconut Rum, the Overproof 69% O.F.T.D, Stiggins Fancy Pineapple Rum Original 1824 Recipe, Canerock Spiced Rum, Planteray 3 Stars White Rum, the Monymusk White Overproof Jamaica Rum, and this, the Barbados 5 Year Old, among  others  by the cognac house of Pierre Ferrand. This is part of a rebranding of the rum lines for the Pierre Ferrand Cognac house, which has also produced the Mathilde Liqueurs such as the Peach which we reviewed earlier, along with a Pear, Black Currant, Raspberry, and Orange XO. Their products also include Citadelle Gin, Citadelle Reserve Gin, Citadelle Rouge Gin, Citadelle Jardin D Été Gin, Citadelle Vive Le Cornichon Gin, Citadelle Vodka, Magellan Gin, and a host of other spirits. Alexandre Gabriel  the head of Pierre Ferrand is constantly blending and experimenting with new products as both an enthusiasm/hobby and also to develop new products. I highly recommend visiting the distillery  if you get a chance – it is a delight to both the eye and the palette.

Final Thoughts: Honestly not a fan as it sits unblended or especially in a tasting glass. Just a bit too much spiciness for my personal taste. But yes, a great mixing rum with an abundance of flavor to work with.

Website: www.planterayrum.com/products/five-years

Overall an excellent website if a bit light on some information. The Specifications sheets are useful links on the individual rum pages but overall just as not derailed as some other rum websites we have seen. Good general information but the search functions and trying to find which category a particular rum comes under can be frustrating !