Plantation Rum has unveiled two new rum expressions: Plantation Isle of Fiji and Plantation Fiji Vintage 2005.
Plantation Isle of Fiji
Plantation Rum unveils a rare pearl from the Fiji Islands: PLANTATION ISLE OF FIJI, a permanent addition to the Plantation portfolio.
Our voyage charts a course for the Fiji Islands. Still relatively unknown a few years ago, Fijian rums have made a name for themselves among connoisseurs and curious drinkers eager to explore new rum horizons. Alexandre Gabriel, Plantation’s Founder and Master Blender, who is fascinated by the diversity of terroirs and interested in regional spirits production, is always on the quest for extraordinary rum-making partners. It is this curiosity that has led him to many relationships with similarly inclined producers, like Liam F. Costello of the Rum Co. of Fiji. Honesty, transparency, integrity, rigor and creativity are the values that are shared by both men in their pursuit of making spirits for all to enjoy. Innumerable tastings and dynamic discussions between the two men resulted in the Plantation Isle of Fiji Rum, which represents two determined spirits artists that have come together to create a special rum.
Liam F. Costello, Rum Co. of Fiji said, “I can’t think of a better, more passionate and like-minded partner than Alexandre Gabriel to not only learn from and be challenged by, but to support our vision of taking our rums from Fiji to the global stage.”
Alexandre Gabriel adds, “At Plantation, we always strive for the best rums, a high-quality product that will highlight an interesting culture with a specific decades or centuries-old heritage and know-how. Working with Liam is extremely enjoyable because it is like working with a kindred spirit. Someone willing and able to put forward Fijian’s excellence in the Rum culture.”
Great rums begin with sugar cane. And on Fiji, sugar cane has flourished here for more than 6,000 years in the fertile volcanic soils of the archipelago. This soil also acts as a great filter for the abundant summer rains that are transformed into spring water. Sugar cane, spring water and the hot and humid climate of the island adds incredible layers of flavor and personality to Fijian rums. While the angels’ share is significant, the ageing process is more intense than in a temperate climate, lending complexity with exotic accents. The cultivation and production of Fijian rums is rooted in the local culture and employs artisanal techniques that are still carried out by hand – for example, the sugar cane is still mostly cut by hand and then crushed in old sugar factories certified Fair Trade.
ISLE OF FIJI RUM
The Isle of Fiji rum is a blend distilled in pot and column stills at Rum Co. of Fiji, and then double-aged in Fiji and France. It is carefully blended by a skillful team of experts led by Alexandre Gabriel and Liam F. Costello. It is aged two-to-three years in ex-Bourbon casks and one additional year in Ferrand casks. This proprietary Plantation double-ageing technique gives Isle of Fiji its intense then delicate aroma and builds the perfect balance between fruity and nutty compounds.
The Isle of Fiji blend takes you on a journey where the distillation, double-ageing and blending know-how bring coherence and balance between exotic fruits and heavier toasted flavors.
Isle of Fiji is available in the US as of September 2020 (SRP $25.00).
Tasting notes: Isle of Fiji – 40% ABV
Nose: Intense, starts on molasses and pear. It then becomes fruitier with apple, banana, gooseberry and spicier with nutmeg and vanilla, with a hint of smoke at the end.
Palate: Rich and round, with vanilla fudge, honey, ginger and fruity notes of prune and coconut, all harmoniously combined.
Plantation Fiji Vintage 2005
Plantation unveils the first rum of its brand new ‘Birds of Paradise’ Vintage Collection – PLANTATION FIJI VINTAGE 2005 Limited Edition. Our voyage charts a course for the Fiji Islands. Still relatively unknown a few years ago, Fijian rums have made a name for themselves among connoisseurs and curious drinkers eager to explore new rum horizons.
Plantation Rum, always on the quest for extraordinary rum-making partners, took an early interest in rums from Fiji. Created in a very limited quantity of a mere 28 casks, Plantation Fiji Vintage 2005 is a rare and precious nectar and the result of an inspired collaboration between Liam F. Costello, Master Distiller of the Rum Co. of Fiji Distillery, and Alexandre Gabriel, Plantation’s Founder and Master Blender.
This rum is the interpretation of our “Four Hands Program”* at work – two determined spirits artists that come together to create a special rum. Says Liam Costello, “I can’t think of a better, more passionate and like-minded partner than Alexandre Gabriel and Plantation Rum to not only learn from and be challenged by, but to support our vision of taking our rums from Fiji to the global stage.”
Alexandre Gabriel adds, “At Plantation, we always strive for the best rums, a high-quality product that will highlight an interesting culture with a specific decades or centuries-old heritage and know-how. Working with Liam is extremely enjoyable because it is like working with a kindred spirit. Someone willing and able to put forward Fijian’s excellence in the Rum culture.”
WHEN TWO CONTINENTS MEET
Exchanges of cultures and knowledge, innumerable tastings and dynamic discussions between Alexandre Gabriel and Liam F. Costello at the Rum Co. of Fiji resulted in this rum. Distilled entirely in triple column stills and aged for 14 years in Bourbon casks in the mild climate of the Fiji Islands, this rum developed an expansive palette of different flavors. Building on this is Plantation Rum’s proprietary second maturation, for Fiji Vintage 2005 this means one year spent maturing in Ferrand French Oak barrels in the House’s cellars in Cognac. Gabriel and Costello’s curation of casks in Fiji followed by this final ageing process in a continental climate, gives Fiji Vintage 2005 its unique character, aroma and flavor. Each step of the way, both the Fiji and the French teams worked hand in hand.
FIJI, A FERTILE LAND THAT MAKES GREAT RUM
Great rums begin with sugar cane. And on Fiji, sugar cane has flourished here for more than 6,000 years in the fertile volcanic soils of the archipelago. This soil also acts as an exceptional filter for the abundant summer rains that are transformed into some of the purest spring water on the planet. Sugar cane, spring water and the hot and humid climate of the island adds incredible layers of flavor and personality to Fijian rums. While the angels’ share is significant, the ageing process is more intense than in a temperate climate, lending complexity with exotic accents.
The cultivation and production of Fijian rums is rooted in the local culture and employs artisanal techniques that are still carried out by hand – for example, the sugar cane is cut by hand and then crushed in old sugar factories certified Fair Trade. This is what makes these rums so interesting and intrigued Alexandre Gabriel, a man who is fascinated by the diversity of terroirs and savoir-faire in France and around the world. It is his curiosity of regional spirits production that has led to many relationships with similarly inclined producers, such as Liam F. Costello of the Rum Co. of Fiji. Honesty, transparency, integrity, rigor and creativity are the values that are shared by both men in their pursuit of making spirits for all to enjoy.
Fiji Vintage 2005 Limited Edition is available as of September 2020 in the US (SRP $80.00).
TASTING NOTES: Plantation Fiji Vintage 2005 – 50.2% ABV
Nose: Intense, fruity and spicy. It opens with aromas of cooked apple and plum, cinnamon and galangal. It then evolves elegantly towards notes of brown sugar syrup, pear, vanilla and nutmeg.
Palate: Round and complex, it unfolds with beautiful fullness. One can savor the salted caramel, milk chocolate, walnut, licorice and ginger, all harmoniously combined.
Finish: Long and spicy, it closes with flavors of brown sugar syrup and galangal.
