Gubba Rum President Steve Gubb (Interview)
Published by The Rumlab ago
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Multiple | Aged | 40% ABV | Pot and Column Still Distilled
Plantation XO 20th Anniversary rum is a combination of pot-stilled and column-stilled Barbadian rums that are initially aged in the Caribbean in ex-bourbon casks for 12-20 years. They are then transported to France for a second 12-18 months aging in small French oak casks.
The first bottle of Plantation XO 20th Anniversary was created for the head of Cognac Ferrand Estate Alexandre Gabriel to honor his 20th year running the company. This special gift has resulted in the bottling we see today.
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Posted
8 years ago
finest experience, over my budget but i keep it on target:) highly recommended
I bought this rum based on reviews on this site. I had previously tried the Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva (great but too sweet), El Dorado 15 (tastes like Whisky to me), and Mount Gay XO (good foundation but nothing extraordinary).
This is really great. I can smell coconut and banana, and I can taste it too. I don't get the vanilla too much.
I find the burn to be stronger than the others I have tried, especially when smelling. It can use a little water or sitting on the counter for a while.
Really pleased, too bad it cost me CAD $80+.
Posted
8 years ago
I generally like drier rums; the Pampero Aniversario is stretching my sweetness limits. I'm not supposed to like this, but damn it, it's a gorgeous indulgence. Tropical fruit galore - pineapple, mango, coconut, et al - with no pretense at appealing to a scotch or bourbon snob, but yet...another bottle finds its way into the cabinet. Maybe if I hide it behind some Lagavulin or Caol Ila, no one will see it.
The sugar hit, fortunately is all upfront and gets whisked away by the bouquet of fruit, with only the merest hint of black tea or leather to keep it from being fruit cocktail. I prefer it to the burnt molasses assault of the Abuelo Centuria, (which should be arrested for the brutality by which it subdues the older rum within it).
Lastly, a gorgeous viscosity.
A giant killer; drink up.
Posted
over 8 years ago
I feel this is the most talked about and widely recognized rum in the Plantation range. It was named spirit of the years a few weeks ago by the Whisky Exchange and is often back order here in Quebec.
Having taste it a few times, I must say I understand the buzz. In fact it's so popular that Ferrand recently built a new aging cellar just for their star.
It is also very much of it's time, with an impressive decanter presentation, and a marketing wise clever and somewhat misleading "20" on the label.
As most people here know this is not an age statement, but a replica of a special blend that was createed in secret by their Master a few years back to celebrate the 20th year of owner Alexandre Gabriel at the head of Cognac Ferrand. Mr Gabriel was so pleased and impressed that he decided to make it part of the Plantation catalogue.
The Ambassador for Ferrand North America recently confirmed me that the base of the blend is 10 to 12 years old, but most importantly that is it finished an extra 18 months to 5 years in used Cognac casks.
So yes it is delicious and decadant, with some distinctive "patissieres" (baking) flavours, and a very nice gift and easy pick in its ultra premium category.
Posted
over 8 years ago
Not the darkest rum, but it does have a sweet vanilla taste to it. Would score higher if it wasn't so sweet
Posted
over 8 years ago
Good rum to drink straight with aroma of vanille, chocolate, cinnamon.
Needs some time in the glass to breeth to get rid of the alcohol.
Posted
over 8 years ago
Nose; Sof aromas of ripe banana, arrack, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon and toffee. A lovely and sweet palette.
Palate; The fragrances continues in the flavors. Now, there is also a nice oakiness and a small pinch of pepper. The flavor is not as sweet as the nose suggests.
Finish; A bit dry and warming. Elements of arrack, molasses, vanilla, banana, cinnamon and toffee lingers in the mouth.
Overall; Very nice indeed. However. I do prefer my rum a bit sweeter and richer, so to me Ron Esclavo XO, Belmont Estate Gold Coconut Rum, Elements Eight - Criollo Cacao Rum and Rum Company - Old Barbados, are better choices.
Posted
over 8 years ago
Loaded with added sugar, so who knows what this rum really tastes like? Everyone mentions vanilla - that's all the extra sugar. Fake elegance.
Complete mix of blends. Seems to have a lot to owe to its dual ageing. A rounded character without a burning aftertaste. One of my favourites.
It tastes pretty much like a coconut liqueur.
"An overly sweet saccharin note which make the rum taste artificial. ."
Published by The Rumlab ago
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German Chocolate Cake
7
/10
out of 10
Reading the reviews—both here and on other sites—this appears to be a nearly universally-adored rum. And why not? It's incredibly smooth. A tad too sweet (like many Plantations), but not syrupy. Definitely the "bigger sibling" of the Barbados 5-year. Layers of complexity (roasted caramel, vanilla, hint of banana). Great flavor of chocolate, caramel, and spices). Chewy texture. Satisfyingly lingering finish (very chocolatey). Gorgeous, heavy bottle. Decent price-point. What's not to like?
8, 8+ (Halve the sugar and this could be a 9.)
Edit (4/2017): Having finished the bottle, I ended up less enamored with it than when I began. Sure, it's super complex, and the presentation is beautiful, but that sugar... I got really tired of it after a while. I've got half a mind to change my rating to a 7, especially given the price-point and competition with what I see as better-balanced rums. I imagine that the raw materials Plantation is working with is some good, well-aged stuff, but that's obscured by the sweetness. I would never turn this bottle down, and it seems to be a crowd-pleaser that's unlikely to be tinkered with anytime soon, but I do see clear room for improvement. 8-.
Edit (6/2017): The more rums I try, and the more I think about my enjoyment of the bottle when I was finishing it compared to when I opened it, the more I feel this is a big lost opportunity for Plantation. (It's not, of course, judging by the rating—currently 8.7, and among the most-rated rums on this site.) But as for me and many others, I would be far more interested in a "pure" rum, without the "dosage" Plantation is so keen on adding, and with enough alcohol that it's actually got some bite, some character. This rum is delicious, it's even very good, but it's simply not great, and is too dear for me to justify picking up another bottle as a "dessert" rum. 7