ctbeck11
Plantation 3 Stars White Rum
Silver Rum — Multiple Countries
Reviewed
September 27, 2021 (edited June 23, 2022)
Nose - light molasses, grass, mango, pineapple, vanilla cream, overripe banana, orange, black pepper, mild to moderate ethanol burn.
Taste - light molasses, ginger, pineapple rind, black pepper, vanilla, overripe banana, earthy grass, simple syrup, sweet floral notes, yeast, clove, lemon pith, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium short with vanilla, simple syrup, ginger, and overripe tropical fruit flavors.
This happens to be my standard rum mixer. Let’s see if it holds up well to sipping. The nose is very light, sweet, and grassy. It’s not too far from an over-sweetened, funky rhum agricole. The palate is very sweet, almost cloying, with some bitter and citrusy notes accompanying vanilla and tropical fruits. The finish is short and unremarkable, with some sweet, citrusy, and bitter notes quickly fading into the abyss.
Overall, this is a good mixer but not a great sipper. It verges on cloying territory, as it doesn’t have enough depth to support the bland sweetness pervading the entire experience. While I plan to continue using it as my house rum mixer since it’s cheap and mixes inoffensively, I’m open to suggestions for better, more versatile white rums to stock.
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@bigwhitemike Agreed that it’s hard to complain too much about this at $20, especially since it mixes so well. Thanks for the Real McCoy recommendation. One of my local shops has it for $24, so not too far off from Plantation. If I remember next time I’m there, I’ll pick one up and see how it compares.
See now @ctbeck11 you’re exposing the flaws of my go-to as well. Agree that the sweetness is overdone and attempts to mask flaws, and quite limited depth and complexity (albeit for $15-$20 hard to be too offended there). I don’t get much ethanol or harshness, mostly just a touch too much sweet syrup mixed with light fruit/floral notes - honeydew pineapple rind and jasmine. Pretty one dimensional though, and goes nearly full Houdini mode when mixed (good and bad). I found Real McCoy 3 year (foursquare sourced, I believe zero dosing/additives) to be the legit alter ego of this one. Similar fruity profile but an impressive (authentic) sweetness and still quite affordable. Main difference is availability and >=$20 instead of <=$20.
@cascode Thank you! I’ll look for it next time I’m at the shop.
Great review - nailed it. For a white “rum” recommendation try a white chacaca for a change. Sagatiba is a solid choice. A touch like white agricole rhum but less grassy.
@WhiskyWitch I’m reviewing the 5 Year tomorrow, which I’m assuming is the gold Plantation you’re referencing. I’m thinking it’ll rate better than this. We’ll see.
The gold Plantation is a pretty good value. I don't really have a use for white rum anyway 🤷♀️