Unlike simple fruit-flavoured rums that rely on artificial additives, Plantation Stiggins Fancy uses a sophisticated dual-infusion process where the pineapple fruit and rinds are infused separately before blending. This creates layers of tropical complexity - the fruit provides sweetness while the rinds contribute subtle bitterness and spice. The result is a full-bodied rum that maintains the integrity of both the base spirit and the pineapple, rather than masking one with the other.

Professional bartenders gravitate towards Stiggins Fancy because it brings genuine pineapple character without the cloying sweetness of many flavoured spirits. The charred and toffee notes provide a robust backbone that can stand up to other strong cocktail ingredients, while the natural pineapple essence enhances tropical drinks without overwhelming them. Its multiple gold medals at bartender-specific competitions reflect its ability to elevate classic cocktails like Pina Coladas and Painkillers to restaurant-quality standards.

While Stiggins Fancy excels in cocktails, its full-bodied profile and complex flavour layers make it surprisingly enjoyable neat or on the rocks. The interplay between the charred oak characteristics and tropical pineapple creates a sipping experience that's both familiar and exotic. The toffee notes add richness that prevents it from being one-dimensional, making it an excellent introduction to flavoured rums for those who typically prefer straight spirits.

The name pays homage to Reverend Stiggins, a character from Charles Dickens' 'The Pickwick Papers' who was famously fond of pineapple rum punch. This historical connection reflects rum's long association with pineapple in Caribbean and colonial drinking culture, where fresh pineapples were symbols of hospitality and luxury. Plantation's choice to reference this literary character demonstrates their commitment to honouring rum's rich cultural heritage while creating something entirely modern.

Like all spirits, this rum should be stored upright in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations. The 1000mL bottle size is ideal for regular cocktail making, and once opened, the rum will maintain its quality for several years if properly sealed. The pineapple infusion is stable and won't separate or degrade like cream-based liqueurs, though you may notice the flavours becoming more integrated and mellow over time, which many consider an improvement.