Planteray Hogo Monsta Extra High Ester Rum

Planteray Hogo Monsta is an extremely high-ester rum created at the Stade’s West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados and bottled at 56.6% ABV. It was designed as a bold experiment by master blender Alexandre Gabriel, showcasing the powerful “hogo” style of rum – a term derived from the French haut goût, meaning strong or intense flavour.

Produced from molasses with an extended fermentation of around two weeks, the wash is then distilled entirely in pot stills, creating a rum packed with aromatic compounds. The result is an extraordinary 2,029 grams of esters per hectolitre, making it one of the most intensely aromatic rums ever commercially released.

Rather than being intended as a traditional sipping rum, Hogo Monsta was originally produced as a flavour concentrate used by blenders to add character and complexity to other rums. Bottling it on its own allows enthusiasts to experience this rarely seen style, where just a few drops can dramatically transform cocktails such as a Daiquiri or Mai Tai.

The profile is intensely aromatic, with notes of overripe banana, pineapple and mango, alongside distinctive hints of olive brine, varnish and exotic spice. The palate is dense, oily and extremely concentrated, leading to a long, powerful finish driven by tropical fruit and funky fermentation notes.