Bibendum launches limited-edition rums

Bibendum has launched two limited edition Plantation Rums exclusively to the UK market.

The new single cask bottlings are finished in the casks of French aperitif Pineau des Charentes and sweet red wine Banyuls.

Only 450 bottles of the Trinidad 1999 Banyuls Finish (RRP £54.99) have been produced. The Barbados 5 Year Old Pineau des Charentes Finish (RRP £49.99) is even rarer with only 350 bottles being released.

Bibendum Spirits brand manager Paul McFadyen worked alongside Plantation’s owner Cognac Ferrand to create the rums.

Cognac Ferrand president Alexandre Ferrand selected one Bajan and one Trinidadian rum, transporting them to France where the spirits were aged in ex-Cognac barrels prior to being finished in the Pineau des Charentes and Banyuls casks.

Ferrand said: “Pineau des Charentes and Banyuls both have incredible flavours that are very compatible with rum; they complement the spirit beautifully.

“We use fresh Pineau des Charentes and Banyuls casks and typically finish the rum for six months to a year, followed by some fine tuning in our Ferrand Cognac casks to complete the ageing process.”

McFadyen added: “Cask finishing is an age-old tradition in rum and one that works fantastically well, creating wonderful new flavours for consumers to discover.

“This was an incredibly exciting project that brought together brilliant distillers from both France and the Caribbean and we have already seen phenomenal interest from bartenders in the UK.“

Each of the bottles is numbered and carries the personal endorsement of Alexandre Ferrand.

Bibendum managing director Michael Saunders, said: “Our whole approach to spirits at Bibendum is to focus on high quality, boutique products that offer our customers exceptional value for money.

“Products such as these new rums are a wonderful addition to our range and the perfect complement to the wines we sell to the premium on trade.”