This cookie is set by Rubicon Project to control synchronization of user identification and exchange of user data between various ad services. Now that the price seems to have come down a bit, and I've done quite a bit more tasting of this and other rums, I'm appreciating it more and more. In many ways it seems more "grown up" than many other over-sweetened rums on the market. I think part of this is Mount Gay's attempt to dig into the whiskey market—a drink that is more highly esteemed (and priced) in this country. That certainly manifests itself in the flavor profile, which is dry, oaky, and slightly spicy. With characteristic sweetness and a caramel nose, you certainly wouldn't confuse it for whiskey. This is a proud rum. I give it a 7.5, and round up for its somewhat unique spot in the market. With a little more aging to polish off its somewhat abrasive edges, it would be a solid 8.

Mount Gay rum has a history that is closely associated with sailing and trade. As the easternmost island in the West Indies, Barbados was often the first port of call for ships traveling from Europe into the Caribbean and would be a prime location for ships to resupply with water, food, and (most importantly) local rum.Mount Gay top Luxury brand". Nation Newspaper. 24 January 2006. Archived from the original on 13 December 2007 . Retrieved 3 March 2010.

Mount Gay Rum Visitors Centre". Fodor's. 31 December 2008. Without question, Barbados is the "most British" island in the Caribbean. G., M. (20 July 2007). "Mount Gay opens new blending facilities; Prime Minister lauds project". Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007 . Retrieved 3 March 2010. The distributors of Mount Gay rum are sponsors of the nonprofit United States Sailing Association. [14] They also sponsor over 110 regatta events worldwide, with approximately 50 of those based in the United States. Mount Gay gives away distinctive red hats to top competitors at its sponsored regattas. Taking a sip, the fruit and the vanilla are really what come through clearest. Mango, pineapple, banana, coconut, and vanilla — or even a bit of toasted caramel — are the key players here, with some baking spices bringing up the rear. On that finish, there’s a touch of bitterness and the fruity notes that last for just a few moments before disappearing. On Ice Mount Gay XO has been “enriched with a broader palette of rums selected, individually aged in three different casks – American Whiskey, Bourbon and Cognac – for five to 17 years, rather than the previous eight to 15 years. The adjustments to the blend aim to enhance the liquid’s ultimate complexity.”The little red star on the image of the island on Mount Gay Rum's former bottle label represents the capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, not the location of the distilleries, which are actually in the northern part of the island. [8] [9] In the Bridgetown area, Mount Gay maintains the Mount Gay Rum Visitors Centre on the Spring Garden Highway in Brandons, St. Michael. [10] [11] The Mount Gay Visitor's Center is a tourist attraction that hosts several tours and events. [12] Mount Gay Eclipse: An aged rum developed in 1911 and named for the total solar eclipse and the passage of Halley's comet in 1910.

Mount Gay XO: Formally Mount Gay Extra Old, this rum contains selected casks that have aged for 8 to 15 years. This isn’t quite consistent with what I’d usually see in a Dark and Stormy, but I think it’s still pretty darn good in its own right. It’s lighter and more refreshing, really highlighting the pineapple and mango flavors that mix nicely with the ginger and line juice that I usually add. There’s even just a touch of that over-ripe or slightly rotten mango hogo note in there to add something interesting and different. Staff writer (20 July 2007). "EU Rum Project finances Distillery blending and ageing facilities in Barbados". Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007 . Retrieved 3 March 2010. Howard, Randy (19 July 2007). "Mount Gay doubles sales in US market". Barbados Advocate. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007 . Retrieved 3 March 2010. OVER 65 visitors were in Barbados (17–21 February 2010) enjoying a welcomed break from their cold countries thanks to Remy Cointreau, the parent company of Mount Gay Rum.Personally, I think the newer presentation, first seen on the Gold and Silver Eclipse bottles was a much needed update. It brings the brand into the 21st century. Purists have also had a bit of a gripe about the new presentation leading to inferior product inside as well. Tales of how great the older tasting bottles are present on most rum forums. Rose tinted spectacles truly are a force of nature. Mount Gay Rum is made from molasses and water that has been filtered through natural coral. This mix is fermented using an exclusively selected yeast and then distilled in both copper pot stills and column stills, before being aged in oak barrels. Mount Gay is one of a handful of Caribbean rum producers who continue the tradition of using a double retort distillation process for their rum, including part of the rum used in this bottle. Staff (2007). "St. Nicholas Abbey". Archived from the original on 23 May 2007 . Retrieved 1 January 2010. Sir John Alleyne, as he later became, was a very close friend of John Sober. John Sober inherited Mount Gilboa Plantation/Distillery from his father William Sandiford in 1747, and upon doing so he appointed Sir John Gay Alleyne as the manager. Sir John did such a good job at managing the plantation that it was renamed Mount Gay in his honor after his death in 1801. Usually, when you add a bit of ice the more delicate components of the drink drop out of the running. Very often these are the fruity notes, as those are lighter, ester-driven components within the spirit that can’t really handle the cold. But in this case, the added ice really doesn’t actually impact the flavor profile that much.