From Sparrow’s rum list, the Plantation 5 is a smooth, double-aged Barbados rum that rewards slow sipping ($11 by the pour, or $16.50 for a larger pour).
About Plantation 5
This Barbados rum undergoes a double aging process. It first spends 3 to 4 years in used bourbon barrels in the Caribbean, and then makes its way to France, where it sits for 1 to 2 years in small used Cognac barrels. That finishing happens at Maison Ferrand’s cellars in the Cognac region, the same French house known for blending Cognac, and it is what gives the rum its rounded, refined character. The result is a tawny, easygoing Barbados rum that drinks well above its modest price.
Tasting Notes
Expect a mellow brown-sugar aroma and a notably smooth palate, with creamy vanilla, a touch of toasted marshmallow, and a long, gentle finish carrying soft baking spice. The Cognac-cask time adds polish and a hint of dried fruit without weighing it down. For a rum at this price, it drinks with a softness and roundness you usually pay more for, which is part of why it has become such a popular pour.
What to Pair It With
An aged rum like this is a sipping spirit. Enjoy it neat or over a large cube, or build it into an Old Fashioned. From the Sparrow menu, it is a fine close to the American Wagyu steaks or the Sparrow-Smoked Rack. It is right at home in the 21+ lounge after dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Plantation 5 rum made?
It is a Barbados rum aged 3 to 4 years in used bourbon barrels in the Caribbean, then finished 1 to 2 years in used Cognac casks in France at Maison Ferrand.
How much is a pour of Plantation 5 at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland it is $11 by the pour, or $16.50 for a larger pour. Look for it on our rum list in the Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside.
See it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Plantation 3 and the Koloa Hawaiian Dark. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.