Destilerías Unidas S.A. de Plantation Vintage 2004

This 2004 vintage comes from Destilerias Unidas in Peru and is bottled by Maison Ferrand under the Plantation name, the French house known for double ageing its rums in cognac casks. As with the Plantation range generally, it is openly dosed, so the softness and sweetness are part of the recipe rather than something hidden.

Column distilled from molasses and finished in cognac casks after its tropical years, it shows caramel, oak, chocolate and spice on the nose, a palate of vanilla, caramel and pepper, and a peppery, spicy finish with a cocoa edge. It is mild, sweet and pleasant at 43.5%, sitting among the gentler standard Plantation bottlings rather than the powerful single casks. The honest pitch is an easy, rounded sipper with light fruit and chocolate, well suited to casual drinking but not built for big depth or high-proof intensity.