Planteray Xaymaca Special Dry

Score: 15/23 Intrigued by its purported complexity and the discussion it sparked, I approached this with anticipation. The distillery generally has a strong reputation, and it had just earned a top honor at a major spirits event. However, I don't place much faith in these awards. My own palate has been overwhelmed by tasting and spitting many spirits in a single session. Furthermore, a well-regarded bourbon previously won a major competition, yet I can name many others that surpass it significantly (list of bourbons omitted). Ah, but I'm meant to be evaluating this rum. Right. Nose: It's bold and packed with elements. Youthful, but not necessarily in a negative way. A burst of aromas, abundant tropical fruit (pineapple, banana, mango, orange, hints of lime, perhaps passionfruit?), wood (both new and aged), and some indistinct baking spices—likely dominated by allspice. Eventually, a floral note with vanilla emerges, though often overshadowed by the fruit. It presents a youthful tartness that also complements the fruitiness. There's a mild richness akin to toffee. I sense other layers, but they remain elusive for now. The key takeaway: youthful and assertive, with remarkable complexity in tropical fruit notes. Palate: The youthfulness and alcohol are certainly apparent. A burst of flavor, naturally, but not the primary characteristic. I detect a light caramel that merges with vibrant fruits, introducing vanilla before transitioning to wood and even a touch of bittersweet dark chocolate. Subtle bitter herbal and minty undertones are present, with a richer sugary quality, possibly molasses, appearing later. This offers a wealth of flavor, a distinct departure from the typical Jamaican profile established by Appleton Estate. The tartness slightly amplifies the youthfulness. It could be argued that this makes it an excellent base for mixed drinks, given its assertive and flavorful nature. Finish: More fruit continues to unfold. The intensity is still there. Yes, it strongly mirrors the palate. Initially, I found it merely assertive and intriguing. It has since won me over; I genuinely enjoy this rum. It's bursting with vitality and taste. Similar to tequila, a young spirit can be exceptional. Nevertheless, while it might be a slight deviation, I'd be curious to sample it with more age. I believe the distillery has skillfully harmonized numerous strong, potentially conflicting flavors. It's a bit rough, but the reward is worth it. It's a solid choice for those accustomed to bourbon due to its robust flavor, making it hold up well. This is truly excellent, comparable to Appleton Estate 12 and Doorly's 12. I might place it above Appleton Estate but below Doorly's. This is a spirit I'll keep readily available.

Rating: 14/23 Nose: Vibrant funk, sweet fruit, impressive! It doesn't smell aged, but it smells lively! There's a hint of wood leading to fireworks and burnt sugar, but the fruit is most prominent. Lots of orange, banana, mango, passionfruit, and pineapple. It's certainly bold, but the aromas harmonize well. Palate: The flavors meld more on the palate than on the nose, revealing more richness. The fruit flavors are all still present, along with caramel and a type of funk. There are even subtle traces of garlic and soy sauce. It's good, but the youthfulness occasionally shows with fresh vegetal notes and a clean watery presence. Still, it's a very good palate. It reminds me somewhat of a younger version of [Brand Y] Trinidad. Finish: A youthful sharpness persists. I wouldn't call it harsh, but it definitely highlights the youthfulness. There's plenty of tropical fruit remaining, along with that interesting garlic and soy sauce flavor. It's a bit more muddled and less interesting than the palate, but it's still solid. This is very good, especially for the price. I enjoy sipping this, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it in a light cocktail. It's somewhat the opposite of [Brand Z] 12, but I think I generally prefer this approach. The two are comparable in quality. In warmer weather, I'd favor the [Brand Y] for its refreshing vivacity; in colder weather, I'd choose the [Brand Z] for its warm richness and maturity. [Brand W] 12 is superior to both, however. This seems like a 14 to 15, essentially on par with [Brand Z] 12, but for very different reasons. The [Brand Z] possesses refined maturity that contrasts sharply with the [Brand Y]'s youthful funk. For the cost, I would definitely choose this, but overall, it's a much harder decision. I was initially going to give it a 14, but the last sip convinced me to raise it to a 15, then the finish changed my mind again. So it's a 14, but very close.

As I delve deeper into the world of rum, I've been studying the various styles. So far, most of my experience has been with Barbados rum, which I find excellent and appreciate Foursquare's dedication to 'authentic' rum, with no sugar or additives, and Demerara rum, like Eldorado (excellent but requires a sweet tooth). I've been less impressed by some 'premium' rums, which have flashy marketing and lots of added sugar (consider Diplomatico). Plantation occupies a middle ground for me. I enjoyed their Fiji expression last year for its blend of fruitiness and gasoline notes, and the 3 Star is my go-to everyday mixer. I've been curious about the so-called Jamaican rum funk and decided to try this bottle at a $17 sale price before investing in a more specialized bottling from Worthy Park or Hampden Estate. The nose on this is identical to the Fiji expression, leading me to believe the influence comes more from the Ferrand Cognac casks than the rum itself. It's quite fruity and buttery, making me think I should buy a bottle of Ferrand Cognac. The taste is considerably more subdued. I'll be frank, I expected more. It's pleasant and easy to drink, mind you, but it seems a bit flat compared to the nose. I detect banana, papaya, mango, grape must, coconut, and the faintest hint of 'hogo'. Quite enjoyable, but I was hoping for a bit more of a striking effect. That said, this can be a versatile spirit, for sipping neat, on the rocks, or for mixing in my usual summer rum drinks. I'll enjoy this bottle, and I anticipate further exploration of the Jamaican rum category. Cheers!

COLOR: Deep copper. LEGS: Thick, watery streaks down the glass; no distinct legs formed, but there was a general moistening of the glass; it appeared very viscous on the glass. AROMA: Intense (4/5); deep and rich; funky; mildly sweet; dusty herbs; overripe tropical fruits; caramel; fried banana; a hint of lime. WITH WATER (5 drops into 15mL): the funk diminishes; smoke emerges; a very interesting transformation! Score 8/10 PALATE: Intense (5/5); thick and oily; dripping with tropical fruits; nutty and oaky; mild sweetness; a tingling heat on the front of the tongue; funky; drying. WITH WATER: sweeter and smoother; the fruit becomes slightly less overripe. Score: 9/10 FINISH: Medium to long; sweet fresh fruit; a satisfying heat and warmth; very drying. WITH WATER: similar, but perhaps slightly less drying initially. Score 9/10 OVERALL: A very good, strong, and funky, naturally produced old-fashioned Jamaican rum; delicious; very dry and far from the sickening sweetness of most rums; worth having again. Weighted Score 8.7/10 IMAGERY: I am James Bond between missions, unwinding by the pool with my girlfriend. "Oh yes, make it a double!"

My initial experience with Jamaican rum, after hearing so much about its uniqueness. Aged in the Caribbean for years and then finished for an additional full year in Ferrand cognac casks, bottled at 86 proof. Many craft bourbons would cost $60-80 for those specifications, but this bottle was $19 out the door, on sale. It pays to broaden your palate. The pour delivers on the promise of unique flavors. Vanilla, banana, and a salty funk greet the nose, with no significant ethanol presence. The 'hogo' is very hard to describe – and combined with the smoke, it could initially be compared to peat notes. But the finish is so different from peat – it leans sweet and very fruity. No significant oak or wood characteristics, but that's expected given the age. It's hard to tell if the fruit notes, such as banana, grape, and strawberry jam, come from the rum or the cognac finish. But honestly, I don't care – this is an excellent bottle, and a fantastic value for any bourbon drinker who is a bit bored and seeking a drastic change in profile.

I primarily drink whiskey, particularly bourbon, but a friend strongly encouraged me to explore rums, noting their quality and lower cost compared to our usual choices. I tried Plantation 5 Year Old Barbados Rum, and it was surprisingly pleasant. This led me to try Xaymaca Special Dry... the worst pour I've ever encountered. I've never discarded alcohol before, but I couldn't finish even one drink of this. The aroma was like stale socks, damp earth, and decaying fruit. The taste was unpleasant, largely due to the initial olfactory impression. The finish was dreadful, a mix of those off-putting flavors and scents with a slight warmth. I typically only drink spirits neat, perhaps with a mixer on the side if needed, but this Xaymaca Special Dry swill would only be palatable with a very strong mixer like Dr. Pepper, something to mask the smell and taste. I won't be purchasing another bottle to test that theory. Worst experience imaginable.