Plantation Barbados 5-Year

Having already tasted the xo edition, which ranks on top of my list, it's really hard to settle for anything less, especially when the word "plantation" is present in the name.
By any means though, I expected it to be nothing less than good.
And that's exactly what this fellow is.
In the first place, alcohol presence is dominant over the glass. The rum itself feels quite smooth in the mouth. Medium sweetness followed by well rounded vanilla aromas. Molasses are also present in every sip. Well balanced in every aspect. Lacks the richness of a premium but it is a total winner in the category "value for money".
Do not hesitate to try.

An easy drink from start to finish whether neat or mixed. A great value and a must have for the liquor cabinet.

You can drink it on the rocks if desired, but I find it a little under aged for that.....still far more drinkable in that mode than any bacardi or the like will EVER be.
I have spoiled so many people with this rum, once tasted in a fine rum and coke, you will never be able to go back to the big name brands ever again. Smooth and flavourful with harsh aftertaste. Fantastic price point and without a doubt the best mixer rum I've ever bought.....
Best rum and coke mixer with no guilt from mixing a higher priced alternative.

Ive been pretty harsh in some of my reviews with Plantation but the worst I can say about this bottle is that this cant be a 5 year. its so inviting on the nose and pleasant in your mouth with a warmth that lingers. It might be a bit too sweet but is a sipper to be sure. This is in the realm of some 12 - 20 year old rums Ive enjoyed. As enjoyable as its big brother XO but in a very different way. WOW for about the same price as El Dorado 12 year I'm not sure which I would say is the best value.

Finally found the good one, not too much on the coconut like the 12 year old, this one is perfectly balanced.

I found this refreshingly better than expected. I read their description on the label and it does have good flavor for a 5 year. Will buy again.

I think this is a fantastic cheap rum to sip on. The flavors are complex, but mellow, and easy.

Very little more to be desired for it's price. Balanced sipper that is my daily go-to rum at the moment.

Being a cuban rum drinker mostly I wanted to check out another rum making country and came to Barbados because of their dry rums; I don't mind a little sugar but hate liquid bonbons. I should have done my homework better because this rum is partially raised in France and adding sugar is allowed here!

And after finishing 2/3 of the bottle I also understand why; the rum is actually too immature and harsh and simply needs the sugar too soften up the sharp edges that are still there. The flavours are promissing and I think the base of this rum is ok but it simply needs finishing as nothing really comes to life here.

And then halfway it suddenly decided that it wanted to become a cognac but never arrived there either. After the cognac/oak slap in your face is gone the aftertaste is almost gone as well leaving only a bit of hard tannines with a vague vanilla.

This is in no way what I expect or want from a rum and while I do believe the original distillate has enough quality both too little aging and elevation in cognac casks makes this a rum that tries to be something it will never become. At this price point you cannot expect perfection but for me this is a long way off. It is drinkable and I will sure finish the bottle but there is little fun in doing so.

Edit; after ending the bottle I have to say that the 3 I rated it before is too harsh for a drinkable rum. I don't like it better but added a point in order to keep my reviews better matched.

Have not come across a better rum at its price. Amazing taste, lots of toffee and vanilla with tobacco and nutmeg coming through as well. Versatile as well; can be mixed, enjoyed neat or enjoyed with a single ice cube or more. Would be my go-to rum because of all this coupled with its fantastic value.