The Plantation rum team based in Cognac, France, lead by master blender Alexandre Gabriel, recently revealed the results of a clandestine project.

The unveiling occurred during a tasting event at the annual Tales of the Cocktail convention in New Orleans.

The Old Fashioned Traditional Dark (O.F.T.D.) aged rum from Plantation is a high proof expression developed in collaboration with leading rum experts.

Plantation Old Fashioned Traditional Dark (O.F.T.D.) aged rum is a high proof expression developed in collaboration with leading rum experts.

This surreptitious collaboration with noted rum cocktail luminaries lead to the development of Plantation’s newest expression: O.F.T.D. (Old Fashioned Traditional Dark) aged rum. The new offering blends exquisite aged marques from Guyana, Jamaica and Barbados.

This dark colored overproof rum, bottled at 69% alcohol by volume (138 proof), will be available in a one liter bottles for a suggested retail price of $31.99. It’s expected to reach retail shelves in the U.S. in September 2016.

Collaborators

Alexandre Gabriel’s collaborators on the project are:

  • David Wondrich, spirits and cocktail historian and long-time Alexandre Gabriel collaborator
  • Jeff “Beachbum” Berry, proprietor of Latitude 29 in New Orleans
  • Martin Cate, proprietor of Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco
  • Paul McFadyen, proprietor of Trailer Happiness in London
  • Paul McGee, proprietor of Lost Lake in Chicago
  • Scotty Schuder, proprietor of Dirty Dick in Paris

Tasting Notes

The Old Fashioned Traditional Dark (O.F.T.D.) aged rum from Plantation is a high proof expression developed in collaboration with leading rum experts.

Tasting notes on the label declare, “Color: Rich Red Mahogany. Nose: Intense and very precice notes of coffee, orange, plum, jam and truffles. Taste: It bursts with caramel cream, chocolate and vanilla notes. It continues with cinnamon, raisins, nutmeg, oak and molases with smoky accents. Final: Long and lingering, with dark chocolate, clove and caramel. Empty glass: Rich Demerara molasses notes, oak and plum.”

The Tradition

This is not the first time Plantation revealed a secret rum project at the annual Tales of the Cocktail convention in New Orleans. In 2014, a limited edition Pineapple rum was circulated among an elite cadre of rum professionals. The reaction was quick and intensely successful. The rum later went into full production to acclaimed success.

Plantation Old Fashioned Traditional Dark rum will appeal to serious rum enthusiasts, tiki fanatics and bartenders that understand how to incorporate rich, full-flavored, full-bodied, robust strength rums into fine cocktails.

Cocktail suggestion: How about an Old Fashioned Rum Old Fashioned?

Robs Extensive List of Rums: Plantation Old Fashioned Traditional Dark