Barbados is where rum began, and the West Indies Rum Distillery is one of the island’s beating hearts, a place where copper stills, ocean wind, and tradition collide. Plantation’s Vintage 2013 captures that heritage with clarity and fire. Opening this bottle feels like walking into a barrel warehouse by the shore: warm wood, humid air, and the deep aroma of rum slowly becoming something extraordinary.

Plantation Barbados Vintage 2013 – West Indies Rum Distillery 9 Year Old
Brand: Plantation | Category: Barbados Vintage Rum | ABV: 50.2% | Origin: Barbados | Vol: 700ml

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Warm caramel, toasted coconut, banana bread, bright esters, vanilla, and tropical spice, like standing beside a rum cake cooling on a seaside windowsill.
Palate: Rich, structured, and full of Barbados character. Notes of molasses, pineapple, coconut cream, oak spice, citrus peel, and brown sugar develop with intensity. The higher proof gives the flavors extra lift while keeping the texture silky.
Finish: Long, warm, and tropical. Oak spice, caramelized fruit, and soft molasses glow in a slow, confident fade.

Production Details:
Distilled at the historic West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados, this 2013 vintage matured for several years on the island, gaining rich tropical character. It then traveled to France for secondary aging in Ferrand oak casks, adding depth, polish, and a gentle spice framework. Bottled at a robust 50.2%, it preserves the rum’s natural power and complexity without compromise.

Perfect For:
Slow sipping, late-night conversations, and moments when you want a rum with true island identity and serious depth. It also excels in elevated spirit-forward cocktails that reward complexity.

Expert Notes:
Collectors and rum enthusiasts praise the Barbados vintages for capturing authentic terroir, oily, fruity, and unmistakably Barbadian. This 2013 release stands out for its balance between tropical sweetness, oak-driven structure, and its bold yet refined proof.

Customer Reviews:
“Big flavor, perfect proof. One of the best Barbados vintages yet.”
“Rich tropical notes with amazing depth. A real sipper.”
“Smooth heat, great balance, and tons of character.”

Interesting Fact:
The West Indies Rum Distillery houses one of the world’s most unusual stills, the famous Vulcan triple-chamber still, a piece of rum history rarely seen anywhere else.

Serving Suggestions:
Neat to appreciate its full tropical complexity. A few drops of water open up more fruit and soften the oak spice. Over a large ice sphere, it becomes smoother with caramel and coconut taking center stage.
For cocktails: try it in a Rum Old Fashioned or a high-proof Mai Tai.

Distillery Background:
Founded in 1893, the West Indies Rum Distillery sits on the beach at Brighton, Barbados. It is known for its mix of traditional pot stills and rare experimental apparatus, producing rums that are vibrant, expressive, and deeply rooted in island terroir. Plantation’s partnership brings a second layer of refinement through French maturation, creating a bridge between old Caribbean craft and modern rum artistry.