ST. LUCIA 2007 13 YEARS OLD 58,9% MAISON FERRAND - PLANTATION EXTREME #4

Distilled in 2007 on the Coffey column pot still at St. Lucia distillery, aged for 11 years in bourbon casks and 2 years in Ferrand casks, this was exclusively bottled for The United Kingdom and is part of the 4th release of the Extreme range.

One of 544 bottles.

THE BRAND

St Lucia Distillers is a rum distillery based in St. Lucia, formed in 1972 through the merger of the Barnard family's Dennery distillery and the Geest family's Roseau Bay operations. The Barnards later bought out their partners in 1993 and the operation was acquired by CL Financial in 2005, which was then the parent company of Angostura. Following the 2008 financial crisis, CL Financial divested its rum portfolio, and in 2009 St. Lucia Distillers was acquired by Martinique-based Spiribam, the owners of the Rhum Clément and Rhum J.M. brands. The company has four stills, including two John Dore pot stills installed in 1998 and 2005, a hybrid Vendome pot still from Trinidad Distillers, and the original two-column McMillan Coffey still from 1985. The John Dore 1 and Vendome stills are used to produce pure cane juice rums in addition to molasses-based spirit distilled on all four stills.

THE BOTTLER

Maison Ferrand is a key reference point in the world of Cognac and thanks to his experience and deep knowledge of Caribbean rums, launched the brand Plantation in 2003.

In 1989 Alexandre Gabriel, today president and owner, started his career in the company, at that time one of the oldest and most respectable spirits brand in Cognac, but with a low sales volume.

His capacities and attention to detail, allowed him to create an extensive network of contacts still standing today.

The 90s were marked by his continuous travels to the Caribbean, looking for the best rums from different regions, until 2003, year of launch of the brand Plantation. In 2012, he was awarded Master Blender of the Year and Distiller of the Year.

Alexandre Gabriel is also owner of the West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) in Barbados and got shares in National Rums Of Jamaica, owner of Clarendon and Long Pond distilleries, that gives him privileged access to their warehouse.