Plantation 2009

Plantation, the Maison Ferrand range, takes 2009 Trinidad distillate for this gentle 9 year old. Trinidad's living style is light and column-distilled in the Spanish-heritage idiom, soft and cocktail-friendly, and Ferrand's double-ageing in cognac casks adds an extra layer of polish. The house openly uses dosage, so this sits firmly on the sweeter, smoother side at a relaxed 42.4 percent.

Column-distilled from molasses and matured in ex-bourbon oak before its cognac-cask ageing, it shows vanilla, fruit, honey and hazelnut on the nose, then spice, vanilla, almond and oak on the palate, with coffee, spice, fruit and mint on the finish. The light Trinidad base is fairly delicate to begin with, and the post-maturation and added sweetness round it further. An elegant if young and decidedly sweet pour, easy company for those who like their rum soft and approachable.