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Plantation XO 20th Anniversary rum

Plantation XO 20th Anniversary

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Multiple | Aged | 40% ABV | Pot and Column Still

Plantation XO 20th Anniversary rum is a combination of pot-stilled and column-stilled Barbadian rums that are initially aged in the Caribbean in ex-bourbon casks for 12-20 years. They are then transported to France for a second 12-18 months aging in small French oak casks.

The first bottle of Plantation XO 20th Anniversary was created for the head of Cognac Ferrand Estate Alexandre Gabriel to honor his 20th year running the company. This special gift has resulted in the bottling we see today.

8.4/10
1821 ratings
That's some good stuff
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1821 Plantation XO 20th Anniversary Ratings

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Paul B 🇺🇸 | 471 ratings
Posted over 6 years ago

Thanks to all of my fellow reviewers at Rum Ratings for leading me to this one!

I would compare this incredible rum to some very good progressive rock whereby one hears a little something different with each listening. The flavors change on this fine rum with almost every sip. There is no alcohol burn. It reminds me of a fine cognac, which is to be expected since it underwent final aging in Cognac France. This rum is truly a work of art. Sipping it neat is fantastic. Adding an ice cube brings out even more of the flavors. At $42 per bottle where I live and being readily available, it will be easy to find more when this bottle finally runs out.

After opening it up and testing that first pour, the next thing one should do is take a knife and cut off that stupid straw net surrounding the bottle. I know that it is a major feature of fine Plantation rums, but it really uglifies this gorgeous bottle. And for anyone who attempts to use this as a mixer, call out the pirates to chop their hands off. Aargh!!!

Update: after sitting in the bottle for two months with only a few sips removed, it has lost much of it's original flavor. This is not supposed to happen, so I dock it one point.

Update Dec 14, 2018: I finally bought my second bottle after 11 months, specifically to test it side by side against my first and last bottle of Ron Zacapa XO. Both are very fine rums with complex flavors, but this rum is dominated by fruit flavors from the cognac barrel aging and the Zacapa XO is dominated by the multiple agings in wood barrels. I honestly could not tell which rum cost the most, and this rum is slightly less than half the price of the Zacapa XO. It was also good to see that the price is still $42 almost a year later. It is now my responsibility to consume this new bottle in less than two months now that I know it's shortcomings due to added sugar and oxidation.

Update June 19, 2022: After a very long time, I finally bought another bottle of this rum and only because it came with two exclusive glasses in a gift box at the same price. Well, those glasses are basically cordial glasses on long stems. How appropriate and so fitting!!!! As for the rum, it now has a more peppery taste akin to tequila. Plantation continues to give rums from Barbados a bad name. And after much consideration, I am left with no choice except to lower my initial rating from an 8 to a 5 on this liqueur that pretends to be a rum.

Remy Chevalier 🇺🇸 | 35 ratings
Posted over 10 years ago

Finally got a chance to buy a bottle today and tried it this afternoon... It's everything it's cracked up to be. Smooth, complex, smoky... almost bourboney. I'm glad I spent the money for this bottle, you can't go wrong with this one. Leave it to the French and their cognac casks, right? Something special going on here. I'd give it a 10, but I think Jamaica 2000 is still my favorite.

Peter 🇺🇸 | 1 rating
Posted almost 11 years ago

Smooth and great taste.

Jerry Gitany 🇫🇷 | 22 ratings
Posted almost 11 years ago

Very uplevel sipping rum,blended in the Cognac region in France and finished in small oak french barrels, this a smooth and elgant rum.

shelteredexistence 🇺🇸 | 49 ratings
Posted 11 years ago

Plantation has really out-done themselves here; near-perfection at a modest price. Smooth as silk, the right sweetness for a high-end rum, complexities galore. You'd be crazy to use this for mixing - drink neat or with a single ice cube. A great rum experience.

Nick 🇺🇸 | 53 ratings
Posted 11 years ago

Easy drinking rum. Nice fruity nose but that hint of coconut truly makes this one a winner. I would have rated it a nine or ten if it were a little smoother.

donmichelangelo 🇩🇪 | 25 ratings
Posted 11 years ago

Nice, sweet and rather lightly aged rum with a hint of coconut fat. If I think about the caribbean, this rum comes always up to my mind.

Simon Richard 🇨🇦 | 15 ratings
Posted 11 years ago

Simplement le meilleur!
Simply the best!

Bonetto 🇫🇷 | 24 ratings
Posted 11 years ago

C'est le meilleur rhum de la gamme plantation (les autres se ressemblent un peu tous.) Vraiment bon ! Surtout ne pas mélanger !

Don Tucker 🇺🇸 | 193 ratings
Posted 11 years ago

I like this best out of all the Plantation rums I've had so far. A great taste and the bottle reminds me of Vizcaya, another of my favorites.

Sly 🇨🇦 | 43 ratings
Posted over 11 years ago

Love this bottle not to sweet




Brand Details

Type: Aged
Company: Plantation
Country: Multiple
Name: XO 20th Anniversary
ABV: 40%
Raw Material: Unknown
Process: Pure blend (1 distillery)
Distillation: Pot and Column Still
Women Led: No

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