Planteray Barbados 20th Anniversary XO Rum

I love this rum for sipping when you don't want a challenge. This rum isn't in your face with a bunch of esters or acidity, it tastes like dessert at a fine dining restaurant. Just sweet enough with cane, molasses, caramel, vanilla, dried fruit and drying astringency suggesting some age. All in all a pleasure to sip. At the price point, it is not too hard to find other rums with more fruity character if that's what your are looking for.

What can be said about this rum other than it's heavily dosed with sugar. It's very nearly a cocktail in a bottle. It has a linger "raisin-like" flavor to the sip. Calling this a "product of Barbados" is misleading and against the tradition of Barbados not only due to the additives but also due to the additional continental aging in Cognac casks. These things give the XO a flavor profile that is not at all consistent with Bajan rums. There are far better offerings at its price point, in particular if one is looking for quality, unadulterated rums consistent with Barbados. I'd strongly urge people to look elsewhere such as Foursquare or Mount Gay. For me, this is a very big miss in the Plantation product portfolio.

I had this on our river cruise once and I'm in love with it.

I found this rum to be quite excellent. Not too sweet and carries an interesting floral bouquet on the nose. However, I was not as content with it as I was with the less-expensive El Pasador De Oro Gran Reserva.

We had a tasting challenge and this was the clear winner...smooth as a summer day is long...everything I was looking for in a sipping rum.

This is truly remarkable.. Martin Cate of Smuggler’s Cove and Hale Pele turned me onto this incredible Plantation Barbados XO.. the nose reminds me of baked banana and clove and that mouthfeel is super viscous ! Best value hands down

Good rum usually does not cost as much as tequila or scotch. At about $48ish (with tax) this is such an excellent rum. I am still surprised at how smooth it is and the lovely notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and coconut. I don't normally use ice but since it is to chill it and not dilute it. I find it extremely refreshing.