Balthazar, Impresario – Plantation Stiggin’s
I rarely revisit old drinks of mine. The only reason for that is missing time and a long list of drinks to work through. However, this time I already had the perfect drink for two special rums I wanted to review.
I already reviewed the regular Plantation Stiggins’ Fancy Rum some years ago. Yet, there is a new version with all the regular pineapple flavour, but improved with some smoke. In this particular case, Alexander Gabriel finishes the Stiggin Fancy in peated single malt casks from Teeling.
Smoked pineapples
The Smoky Formula delivers all the pineapple flavour of the regular one. However, you can actually taste the smoke from the ex-whiskey barrels. Therefore, the rum reminds me a bit of whiskey. Through its fruitiness the Stiggins’ Fancy also slightly reminded me of a mezcal.
Strong rum, but mellow esters
Back in 2017 I used the Plantation Jamaica 2002 Rum. However, in the meantime the rum is not available anymore. While I was looking for a replacement, I remembered the Compagnie des Indes Jamaica Navy Strength Rum. So, my good friends at Perola were so kind enough to provide me with a bottle. The CDI Jamaica Navy Strength Compagnie des Indes was distilled in 2007 at the Worthy Park distillery. All in all, the rum spends a minimum of five years. The rum has interesting ester notes, but not too much. In addition, you can find bananas and spices.
Spices, vermouth and rum
I adjusted the ratio of the Jamaica rum to account for the Navy Strength. Apart from that, I used another vermouth and another Chai. However, I kept the rest of the recipe the way it was.
1,5 cl Plantation O.F.T.D. Rum
1,5 cl Plantation Stiggins‘ Fancy Smoky Formula Rum
1,5 cl Legendario Elixir Rum Liqueur
0,75 cl Vallendar Sour Cherry Liqueur
4,5 cl Chai Infused Yzaguirre Vermouth
4,5 cl Blood Orange Juice
0,75 cl Simple Syrup
Garnish: Blood orange & Lime Twist;
Song: Frank Turner – Balthazar, Impresario;
Obviously, the “Balthazar, Impresario” with all that booze is a strong drink. However, it is astonishing how the blood orange juice and the vermouth can balance out the drink. On top of that, you can find some pineapple, molasses and spice notes. In the end, the drink is a rather unusual tropical drink, but I am definitely revisit it again sometimes.
*The fact that I received a product reviewed in this article for free, did not – in any way – influence the rating of said product. The rums were provided by Ferrand Deutschland and Perola.
