Planteray Xaymaca Special

Planteray's Signature blends series celebrates the terroirs of rum with highly recognisable bottles wrapped in raffia. The series features bottlings from traditional rum countries like Barbados, Jamaica, Guatemala, Mauritius and Belize, as well as less common countries like Fiji. Each of these rums first matured locally in warm, tropical conditions and received a second maturation in France in ex-cognac casks from Maison Ferrand.

The Xaymaca is a celebration of what is perhaps the most imaginative rum style. In Jamaica, rum is made in a unique way that is difficult to describe with traditional tasting notes and yet immediately understandable with the description ‘rum funk’. It is achieved through the use of ‘dunder pits’, in which surpluses from previous distillations are kept and added to each new distillate. This creates a special, powerful and instantly recognisable flavour.

Xaymaca is blended by blending rums from two distilleries. They were all distilled in a pot still, either at Clarendon or Long Pond. The fermentation period is very long, between 1 and 3 weeks, and maturation, as always, is a combination of bourbon casks in Jamaica and cognac casks from Ferrnd in France.

The nose immediately shows the complexity of Jamaican rums: slightly smoky, meaty with also fruity and spicy notes. Vanilla then rears its head, with cooked banana, bitter orange zest and ripe pineapple. The palate is dry with a more floral component (rosewater) and fruit (pear, white grape, apricot and apple). It doesn't stop there, as coconut milk, a mix of spices, bread and all sorts of nuts follow. The finish is nicely structured and long.