Plantation Xaymaca Special Dry

taste - 6.5/10
smell - 6/10
sweetness - 7/10
price/value rating - 7/10

Maybe I just got a duff bottle but all I could taste was whiskey. Harsh, TCP-flavoured whiskey. Found it unbearable honestly.
Completely different to Plantation's Gran Anejo and XO, which were delicious...

The Special Dry labelling on this product implies no added sugar but I'd bet my shorts on that there is indeed some sucrose put into it. Less than the usual Plantation modus operandi but nonetheless it is not as Jamaican in taste as I would like. Quite drinkable but still so-so in my view. Too little funk, too sweet.

The funk is toned down, but it’s there and compliments the dryness very well. No after the fact dosing is a big plus. Good stuff.

Current readily available Plantation almost anywhere like Barbados XX. Too dry for me with typical Jamaican funk. Don’t think I will buy it again.

The nose is full of apples, like a young hampden (Smith&Cross). There is also lime, quite simple or just young but very fruity nose. Very intensive for 43%, that's great and unexpected.
The taste is not very complex, there is lime, apples, paper, wood. Quite simple but enjoyable.

Could be natural rum, the balance is good. It reminds me of a young Worthy Park. It's not complex and a little bit young.
It's like a diluted Smith&Cross.

Nose: apples, citrus, lime, wood/cask
Taste: lime, some sweetness (sugar cane), apples, paper
Middle: wood, apples, lime, paper
Finish: spice, paper, lime with sweetness
Aftertaste: lime, apple, paper

Sweetness: 2/5
Fruits: 2/5
Spice: 2.5/5
Mildness: 2.5/5
Complexity: 1.5/5
Value (24€): 3/5

I really like this rum. It’s advertised as 100% pot stilled and without the usual additives seen elsewhere in Plantation rums. It’s not a greater sipper with a decent burn to it. It’s also not overpowering for a Jamaican rum which is interesting. I love using this as a component in my Mai Tais. The fact it’s not too overpowering again makes it a versatile choice for home cocktails.

I think the presentation also deserves a mention as it often gets comments. For the price it’s a nice addition to the collection.

Grassy and reminiscent of a rhum agricole, with a good butterscotch base. Complex. I like it!

Smooth & smoky, works great as part of a blend in a Mai Tai

If I want to ween people onto jamaican rums without having them run away in fright, I'd give them this first. It's a very smooth jamaican style.
After they've grown accustomed to this, they can move on to actual jamaican rums.