Plantation Isle Fiji

Plantation is not a Rum Distiller as you might think, they’re more a consolidator, they take Rums from all over the world and blend them into various spirits that come and go. I’ve had a number of Plantation Rums already and I’m looking forward to sampling this one... But with a bit of worry. The last Rum I had from Fiji was Bounty, drab, sour and underwhelming. But here we go...

The nose of this Rum is bold, even as I'm a couple feet away from my snifter. It’s doing quite well competing with the odour of onions coming in the window from the neighbour who’s cooking at 8:33pm. Up close, it’s a bit sour. I’ve used the term “Plumbers Putty” before and this Rum has it in spades. If I were to to put it into context I would say it’s bold with apricot, orange and raw spirits. The first hit is delicate, not overwhelming or spicy. That surprises me because it is 40% ABV. Early flavours are of molasses and bitter orange. Still it’s sweet.

In the mouth Plantation Isle of Fiji has only the slightest hint of pepper or heat. Teetotallers will be happy with that. The flavours are broad of apricot, orange, walnut and molasses. Pleasant. Lori said she found banana, but I did not. In the throat it’s easy, no big burn like cheap Rums and Spirits. It almost disappears. The finish in my mind is bold on molasses and I like it. Best served neat at room temperature.

Reading the other ratings, I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Very light and drinkable. Not overly sweet. Just enough of a burn to make it worthwhile without taking away from the taste. I get some vanilla, maybe a tad of caramel and something like plum or ripe fruit. Someone said it was a mix of Bajan and Jamaican. That's accurate, but those with a lighter flavour. Best part is that it is reasonably priced, even here in over-taxed Canada. I'd say 7.5 but gave it an 8 because I think it deserves a higher overall rating.

Had just a sample of this Pot and Column distilled rum from Rum Company of Fiji bottled by Plantation.
The total aging is 3-4 years, first tropical in ex-Bourbon barrels and then in France in French oak casks.
In nose it’s quite sharp, smoky and fruity but I also detect vanilla.
On the palate it’s still fruity and smoky but also spicy and I recognize banana, ginger and hints of coconut.
The rather short finish goes on in the same way.
Overall a quite OK rum, but a pity that the finish was so short.
Please: My emptied sample poured in a glass.

A great amber colour in the stubby Plantation bottle with a tropical coloured label. The nose is fruity, funky and sweet. It is like Jamacian and Barbados rums combined. It is a great mixer and is easily sipped with little burn. This is my first rum from Fiji and I will be looking for more. $37Can is a deal for this rum.

The Plantation rums I've tried so far all seem to have a similar characteristic aftertaste. Not bad, but not great. Not as dry or funky as the Xaymaca. Prefer the Stiggens Fancy Pineapple rum.

OK, just did a taste test with their XO. I'm buying 2 bottles of this instead of 1 bottle of the XO for the same price. 2 for 1 is a great deal! Not much added sugar so that's a plus. Price point on target with similar brands. Although it's true they produce better rums for 3 or 4x the price this one has a spot on my bar. OK, for you guys who need $100 bottles don't stock it but for us pirates this works! 12/23 update. Looks like the well is drying up. I've searched locally and found 2 bottles left and grabbed them. I will savor this till the last drop! So, if there's any left in your neighborhood grab it before it's gone. This is one to remember!

Another one great rum from Plantation.
Typical taste from Plantation company with bubble funky spirit of Fiji Islands.
Recommending.

I give this a meh. Off putting aroma but otherwise palatable. Tastes ok but not top shelf. Inexpensive. Haven’t found the right mixer yet. Nothing touches the 5 year.

On the nose I smell typical Jamaican (and St Lucia) traits, overripe funky banana with pineapple juice and varnish, as if distilled in copper pot still, not overpowering, quite pleasant, the rum body is very young and burning, continuation of the banana-pineapple mix, very simple, with added sugar (some 20 gpl is my guess) which basically makes the aftertaste muddled and less prominent. The scent is best, taste and aftertaste quite simple. The added sugar does not do much good here, without sugar and with 25% less price it would be an entertaining mixer, for this price and with the sugar, well, it is kind of superfluous. If you got Chairmans Reserve at hand, add some sugar and here you go - you got something close to, but even better than this. It is best when mixed with coke, but so is J Wray Gold for 2./3 of the price.

Plantation's Isle of Fiji rum is EXTREMELY similar to their Xaymaca bottling. However, this rum has notes of spice that its sister rum doesn't accentuate as much. I find that, in cocktails, I prefer this in sours, due to the spice's ability to cut through, versus Xaymaca's sweetness.