Notes: This is one of the more complex rums in the already extensive Planteray Rum line up ( see below in Other for a list and links to many more). This is a blend of three different areas, indeed, 3 different oceans.The first component is Barbados Rum, (Atlantic Ocean) giving it balance and elegance ( read a good solid foundational rum) with Mauritius , ( Indian Ocean) which adds herbs and spice note, and for top notes Fiji Islands ( South Pacific) Fruitiness, delicacy and more elegance and helping round out the blend.
This rum is also very complex in may other aspects as this is a blend of very disparate yet harmonious components- It is a mix of both Rhum Agticole ( rum made directly from cane juice), and Rhum Industrial ( made from molasses) and the fermentation runs from 3 days to 3 weeks. Also Sealander uses a blend of both column and pot stills . All the rums are aged at their respective distilleries in used bourbon barrels and then aged in Pierre Ferrand Cognac casks to finish.  Dosage is 20 grams of sugar per liter (about 1/2 for the metric challenged) Volatile compounds ar 100grams per Hl, and caramel for color adjustment is .0 to .01 percent .

Appearance: Clear and slightly viscous/oily in appearance, a first run maple syrup color ( the lightest and most delicate taste and color for maple syrup). On swirling the rum leaves a medium oily coating on the glissando then on retreating leaves a dense constellation of droplets ( which is a unuausal and interesting behavior in a rum)

First Impression: A wizards space cabinet of flavors, a complex melange of spices, cinnamon, molasses, nutmeg, mace, allspice,. Persimmones, dates, and dried fruit and the smell of baking apples.

Taste: Delicious, a lovely oily and slightly thick entry that rolls over and coats the tongue, a very complex and spicy bouquet that is multilayered and complex with a melange of cinnamon and nutmeg family of spice flavors with fruitcake dried and candied fruit overtones.

Drinks: A very complex rum that adds extra dimensions to a rum cocktail. The Captain-Hattan is an interesting cross between a riff on a Manhattan and Negroni. For the red Italian bitter that is called for try Campari, Aperol or Cynar . The Seagroni is a closer riff to the Negroni and worthy of consideration also.Overall it is a great choice for a hearty and spicy rum ( without the added and usually regrettable  spices many cheap spiced rums use)/ Also a variation on a Brandy Alexander or anything involving cream is a good bet also. A great choice for very memeorable egg nog also.

Bottle: Beautiful presentation style bottle , as part of the Premium Blends Collection ( which includes the Planteray XO Barbados 20th Anniversary and The PXXO 20th Anniversary Pedro Ximenez Cask Finish rums ). The bottle is a shorter somewhat bell shaped bottle with a fancy with a ring at the base of the neck to an almost ruffled collar which allows for a comfortable grip when pouring. An interesting neck band executed in dark blue with copper gold lettering adorns the neck below a substantial wooden cork top that is  scored on the sides and has a laser etched design on the top of the stopper. A tight fitting composite cork seals the bottle well.  The heavy decanter style bottomed high quality glass help convey a luxe feel to the package. A complex graphic and embossed labels both attractive and also conveys premium look. The label itself is quite a piece of art with a multitude of elements that make it a very rich and visual label. The bottle also has the Planteray signature ratafia to help it stand out and cement its identity as a Planteray product. Overall a very nice and distinctive bottle that stands out on a store , bar or home bar shelf. Also an impressive looking gift.

Other: This rum is part of the Planteray lines of rum  (Original Dark,  Overproof 63%, XO 2oth Anniversary,  Mauritius 2013, Isle of Fiji,  Belize 2008, the Barbados 5 Year Old,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 Sealander, 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: A very complex and interesting rum that displays the complexity and subtlety that is a signature of the Planteray Signature portfolios that blend complex and seemly disparate rum elements into a sum much greater than its parts- much like a. orchestra  blends many different instruments for a symphony, the blenders created a symphony by blending all the many components of this rum.

Website: planteray.com/product/sealander

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 !