Rum & Co Planteray Islands (Matured in Japanese Ume fruit liqueur cask) Warehouse #1 2004

Rum & Co Planteray Islands Warehouse #1 2004 is a nineteen year old Fijian rum from the Fiji Rum & Co distillery, bottled by Maison Ferrand under its Planteray label. Distilled on a column still and aged in an ex bourbon barrel, this single cask carries an unusual final maturation in a Japanese ume fruit liqueur cask, a plum brandy twist that shapes its softer, fruit forward character at 48.6%.

Maison Ferrand bottlings are double aged in the house style and tend toward an accessible, fruity profile, and this Fiji follows suit. The nose offers tropical fruit, light esters and wood, while the palate turns fruity and herbal with a soft sweetness, plum and the influence of the ume cask. The finish brings cinnamon, allspice, dried fruit and a touch of chocolate. It reads as a gentle, slightly sweet Fiji rather than a wild ester bomb, the ume finish adding apricot and prune notes that make it an approachable, distinctive pour.