Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Plantation Rum Adds Plantation Pineapple to its Core Range of Products

Guillaume Lamy introduces Plantation Pineapple
     This is a great bit of news for us at the Rum Bar in Key West, because I didn't think that we were going to be able to enjoy this wonderful expression here in the United States because of its very limited production.   I have bought a case of it for the Rum Bar and we are now serving it.   The unique method of production gives it a very special flavor unlike any other flavored rums.

     First unveiled at "Tales of the Cocktail" in New Orleans last year, Plantation Pineapple Rum – Stiggin’s Fancy was initially planned as a “one-off” launch, with just 1,000 bottles sold in New Orleans and a small number of other US markets.   Cognac Ferrand founder Alexandre Gabriel has now added the expression to Plantation Rum’s core range as a limited edition due to the seasonality of the Queen Victoria pineapples it uses.   Gabriel first created the rum in collaboration with cocktail historian David Wondrich, inspired by several traditional recipes used in the 1800s.   
     Plantation Pineapple Rum – Stiggin’s Fancy is produced by first infusing the rinds of Queen Victoria pineapple with Plantation 3 Stars white rum for one week before they are distilled in pot stills.   Separately, the flesh of the Queen Victoria pineapples are infused with rich, aged Plantation Original Dark Rum for three months. Then these two liquids are married together and the rum is put into casks where it rests for three months.   
“David and I did this project in part out of sheer curiosity,” said Gabriel. “Mostly, however, we did it because the pineapple is the symbol of hospitality.    “The 1824 Journal of Patent Inventions notes that it was customary in the West Indies to offer pineapple rum to visiting European friends. Following the West Indian tradition, Plantation Pineapple Rum is our gift to you.”
The expression is named after the Reverend Stiggins, a character in Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers whose favored tipple was pineapple rum.
Plantation Pineapple Rum – Stiggin’s Fancy will be available in April, May, July and August each year at an RRP of US$34.99. It is now rolling out nationally across the US.
The variant was named by The Spirits Business as one of the most innovative spirits launches of 2014.