PLANTATION RUM GRANDE RÉSERVE: MOSER ROTH CHOCOLATES & JACOBS RISTRETTO
Rum and chocolate is, without a doubt, my favorite pairing. Even surpassing the classic combination of rum and cigars. There’s a reason rum and chocolate are a match made in heaven: no matter how sophisticated our palates become, that first bite of chocolate instantly awakens your “inner kid” and sparks a pure, uncomplicated sense of happiness.
Pairing Plantation Grande Réserve with chocolate is more than a simple indulgence; it is a study in shared terroir and sophisticated craftsmanship. Because this Barbados-born rum is distilled from sugar cane grown in the same tropical climates where premium cacao thrives, they share an inherent DNA of warm spice, vanilla, and floral earthiness. No matter your age, a good piece of chocolate always brings a smile to your face.
And today we have 6 different Moser Roth Chocolates on the menu.
- Dark 85% Cocoa
- Dark 70% Cocoa
- Orange Almond
- Milk Coconut
- Bourbon Vanilla
- Milk
To complete the flight, we are adding Jacobs Espresso Ristretto to see how caffeine interacts with the surprisingly versatile Plantation Grande Réserve (now moving under the Planteray brand). So lets start!
The Espresso Factor: JACOBS RISTRETTO & PLANTATION GRANDE RÉSERVE
The fresh fruity notes from the first sip of rum and then rich and creamy texture of espresso are not promissing combination. Nice and warm, but thats all. But when you take one rum sip after espresso, you feel the explosion, like the warmth of the espresso continiues further and sudenly there is no fruit aroma, just a trace of oak, leather… It seems like like Plantation with espresso is skipping tropical notes, and going straight to good old combinaton of cognac notes and coffee. It is an impressive shift that moves the experience from a Caribbean beach to a refined French study.
Impressive.
DARK 85% COCOA & PLANTATION GRANDE RÉSERVE: Dark-But Fruity
My favorite bitter sweet simphony, but in this case,unlike espresso, dark chocolate reveals more fruty and sweet notes from rum. It’s a bold, intense match for those who like a serious palate challenge.
DARK 70% COCOA & PLANTATION GRANDE RÉSERVE: Crowd Pleaser
This verision is not so wild, it is more suitable for „normal“ people. More creamy taste, but not so fruity finish. A lots of warmer notes. This could be a „classic“. Combination which you expect when you pair rum with chocolate
ORANGE ALMOND & PLANTATION GRANDE RÉSERVE: The Perfection!
And we have a winner!!! Dark chocolate in combination with orange and almond are exactly what you expect with Plantation. Both sides have the right ingredients from sweetness over the bitterness to the fruitiness which merge into one wonderful combination. But this was not a big surprise, knowing that both sides have almost the same notes and flavors.
MILK COCONUT & PLANTATION GRANDE RÉSERVE: Interesting & Tropical
Somewhere I found in the finish coconut notes, let’s see how this chocolate will interact with our rum. Despite the milk in the chocolate, coconut notes in combination with orange flavors in rum creates a quite interesting finish. Probably the most interesting in this pairing. Not everyone will agree with me, but you are welcome to try.
BOURBON VANILLA & PLANTATION GRANDE RÉSERVE: A Surprising Mismatch
Actually vanilla with orange and candied fruit makes interesting combination, but something is missing. I dare to say that french heritage from Plantation Grande Réserve likes more warm and dark notes like coffee and cocoa then some creamy notes.
MILK CHOCOLATE & PLANTATION GRANDE RÉSERVE: A Bit Odd Innt
Usually combination of milk chocolate and rum gives that bailey’s taste or simmilar, but in this combination with Plantation Grande Réserve it is total opposite. Very strange aroma, and very strange finish.
Next Sunday is the last Sunday of the longest month in the year. That means our long flight is going to end. What is the best way to end a flight?
Cocktails! We will celebrate with national Barbados cocktail, and with our, now already traditional cocktail of Sunday Rumor-Old Fashioned.
Cheers and have a pleasant flight!
