First Impressions
Coconut rum has a reputation problem. Most versions taste like sunscreen mixed with sugar syrup — artificial, cloying, and insulting to both coconut and rum. Planteray's Cut & Dry takes a different approach entirely: real, hand-cut coconuts infused into genuine Barbadian rum from the Foursquare distillery. The difference is immediately apparent.
Tasting
The nose is natural and inviting. Fresh coconut cream leads — actual coconut, not the synthetic version you find in most flavoured rums. Ripe banana and toasted coconut add depth, vanilla provides softness, and there's a hint of sesame that's unexpected and intriguing.
The palate is where this rum really distinguishes itself. It's rich and oily — almost unctuous — with coconut milk and overripe banana forming the core. Coconut flesh adds texture, sesame oil contributes a savoury dimension that prevents the sweetness from becoming one-dimensional, and there's genuine Barbadian rum depth underneath. This tastes like rum with coconut, not coconut with rum — an important distinction.
The finish is medium with coconut cream, gentle sweetness, and a clean tropical close. No artificial aftertaste, no chemical notes.
The Bottom Line
At £36.50, Planteray Cut & Dry proves that flavoured rum can be done with integrity. If you've written off coconut rum, this is the bottle that might change your mind. Makes a sublime Pina Colada and works beautifully with pineapple juice and lime.
