What a beautifully conceived gift pack! This will appeal to cigar smokers as much as rum lovers. Designed to look like a cigar box, the inside detail of the lid makes a recommendation for an accompanying smoke to enjoy while you sip away at some of the Caribbean’s finest!

The pack contains six 100ml sized bottles including: Plantation 3 Stars, Original Dark, Barbados Grande Reserve, Guatemala and Belize Gran Anejo, Xaymaca Special Dry Jamaica and the 20th Anniversary XO.

More about Plantation Rums…The Caribbean is undeniably the epicenter of world Rum production, a fact celebrated by seven artisanal vintage rums and three blends marketed under the Plantation label, a new venture from highly commendedCognac Ferrand, makers of‘Pierre Ferrand Cognac’,‘Citadelle Gin‘ and several other high quality spirits.

The Pierre Ferrand company has had relationships with a number of the Caribbeans top rum producers for many years via the supply of x-Cognac casks. These are prized by certain distillers for the maturation of their best rums and generally reserved to give style to blended rums. Presented with the opportunity to taste the fruits of his trade, Ferrands owner/director, Alexandre Gabriel, visited the Caribbean and was blown away. The experience ignited a love affair with Rum and he immediately commenced negotiations to secure his own stocks, launching the Plantation range around 2005.

The driving concept behind this collection is essentially one of terroir – each aims to express the characteristics and flavour of its place of origin. One might argue that if there are definite regional differences that contribute to rum styles in the Caribbean, these are largely obscured by the fact that, unlike many other spirits, regulations for the production of rum are minimal. Instead, all sorts of creative departures are permitted making Ferrands claim a difficult marketing line to maintain. We recently tasted the Plantation collection for ourselves. While there is indeed a remarkable diversity to be found, theres also a common house style. Most of the Plantation Rums possess in varying degrees, a remarkable mid palate opulence and buttery texture, balanced by a tannic dryness – a combination that results in flavour profiles one would usually associate with fine wines or brandies. Ignoring the marketing speels, one cannot ignore the fact that these rums demonstrate that carefully selected estate or single-island rums can offer a range of aromas and flavours that compete with the depth and complexity of great Cognac or Whisky.

No doubt one of the key influences is Ferrands unique finishing process. When their maturation period in the Caribbean is deemed complete, the rums are transported at natural strength to Chateau du Bonbonnet, the historic Ferrand estate in France and then finished for several more months in small French x-Ferrand Cognac barrels. This process was used extensively in the 18th and 19th centuries. Gabriel explains,‘Ninety-nine percent of rums are aged in barrels that once held bourbon. We found that adding an aging process in a French oak cask that once held Cognac adds extra complexity to the rum. This is a practice that was done more commonly in the past but has almost disappeared now. We thought who better than Ferrand, with our knowhow and exceptional casks, to resurrect this ancient technique. It is a very difficult thing to get right, but when done well, it’s paradise.’He adds,‘In the Caribbean, Plantation Rums are rare treasures. At Ferrand they become jewels.’