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Barbados is one of the most densely populated island nations in the world. Hundreds of years ago, Mount Gay could rely on the molasses from local sugar cane for all of its needs, but that’s no longer the case as there simply isn’t enough available land anymore. In addition, while there used to be nearly 40 sugarcane refineries on the island, only one remains active today. So, although the distillery relies on sugarcane sourced from around the Caribbean, it only imports varieties that are native to Barbados. Mount Gay has been closely linked to the world of sailing for decades, as symbolized by its red (often worn-out pink) logo-bearing hat. You can’t buy one — at least not directly from Mount Gay. The only way to get one is to race in one of the scores of regattas that the brand sponsors every year. The new distiller is a glass-ceiling-breaking powerhouse.The new presentation of the Mount Gay Extra Old Cask Reserve Rum is in keeping with the Eclipse (Mount Gay’s entry level offerings). The bottle is slightly shorter and rounder. It also has a very nice cork stopper. Like the Eclipse the MGXO has Mount Gay Distilleries etched into the glass of the bottle, as pictured.

In der Nase dezent und etwas scheu. Einer leise erklingenden Triangel gleich steigen die Düfte aus dem Glas. Harmonisch schweben Holztöne und Karamellnoten zusammen mit tropischen Früchten und exotischen Blumen empor. Gewürze, Zitruszesten und etwas Vertrautes sind in diesem Wohlklang zu finden. The nose is very fruity. Raisin, prunes and currants with a little banana and some tropical fruits a little pineapple perhaps." Mount Gay’s current master distiller, Trudiann Branker, is the first woman to run things in the distillery’s history. A native Bajan, she studied Chemistry at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and also has an MBA. Following a five-year apprenticeship under Mount Gay’s previous master distiller, she took on her current role. The first special expression she’s been working on will debut in fall 2019. There are four main expressions. The master blender at Mount Gay is in the shape of Allen Smith who has been with the distillery over 20 years. Again this adds a guarantee as to what you will get in the glass.Quiet and pleasant on the finish. Fruits, caramel, woods and cocoa linger a bit longer after all, with three toast crumbs remaining at the end. Der Mount Gay XO Triple Cask ist der direkte Nachfolger des XO Old Reserva. Im Gegensatz zum alten XO wird der neue XO nicht nur in Eichenfässern, sondern auch in amerikanischen Whisky sowie Cognacfässern gelagert. Das genaue Alter ist nicht bekannt. Mit 43% wird der XO in die klassische Mount Gay Flasche abgefüllt. Der Rum kommt selbstverständlich aus Barbados und ist daher ohne Zusatzstoffe. As the Mount Gay Distillery is the oldest official distillery in the world established 1703 as the label denotes, I don’t think we need to worry too much about the heritage and authenticity of the contents of this Extra Old rum. In the glass the rum exhibits itself to be a lot lighter than in the bottle. However it still shows to be a lot darker than the Eclipse. It is a nice dark reddish brown colour. Nicely aged. However, in my scoring I found personally found a little extra something in the Captain Bligh XO (not even a Bajan but very similar in style). Still MGXO come’s very highly recommended. It is a beautiful well balanced classic rum.

Sipped, the rum is medium bodied with a semidry, honeyed mouthfeel. The taste opens with buttery, dark chocolate, coconut and vanilla, before moving onto some more earthy notes of tobacco and leather in the mid palate. Tastewise I found the Mount Gay to be very nice and quite easy going despite the 43% ABV. Whilst an ice cube wasn’t necessary due to the smoothness of the spirit I found it opened it up a little. I also found leaving the rum on the radiator for a short while enhanced it (especially on a freezing English winter afternoon). The rum does have a slightly sherried taste with strong fruit flavours. It is spicy especially on the finish and a little bit short. It’s not quite as dry or oaky as R L Seale’s but it is close in terms of overall profile. The Mount Gay estate was inherited in 1747 by his son, the ironically named, James Sober. During the latter part of the 18th century, both James and his son, Cumberbatch, spent a good deal of time in England, thus they were unable to properly regulate their property. Accordingly, Cumberbatch appointed his friend, Sir John Gay Alleyne, to control the estate. Sir John died in 1801 and Cumberbatch named the estate, Mount Gay, in his memory. The plantation remained with the Sober family until 1860. The Mount Gay plantation was acquired by the businessman Aubrey Ward in the early part of the 20th century. He expanded the company and marketed the product with his business partner, John Hutson. Mount Gay co-ferments local and imported molasses. The proprietary yeast strain is based off a captured wild yeast, which Mount Gay’s team then bred for consistency. You’ll know a Mount Gay fan when you see them. Tasting notes are not needed. It's a better rum than Abuelo Centuria. MGXO has an almost perfect balance between of dry & sweet, wood and salivation, aged too long and not long enough. If you don't like this, head for the Zaya aisle. If you do, come on over and have a glass you discriminating, sophisticated, demanding drinker, you.If you’ve ever spent time around a marina, chances are you’re familiar with Mount Gay, a rum that strives to maintain a deep relationship with the sailing community. The brand was also perhaps Barbados’s most well known export until Rihanna took over the world. It's like the Mount Gay Eclipse, but not available in Morrisons and so much better. Quite good with a bit of cheesecake, but that's just my opinion. My entirely correct opinion that is MUCH more correct than yours. Which is also correct but mine is better. A perfectly balanced, harmonious rum that is a joy to drink. But could be a little more intense and profound. For lovers of "pure" rum, connoisseurs and all who have joy in life.

The UK’s only retail and commercial drinks specialist. We’ve been selling wholesale winesfor over 40 years. As a country-wide business, we know your customers and what they drink better than anyone else. From a geological perspective, Barbados is different from volcanically formed Caribbean islands. Barbados is actually the product of accumulated and uplifted coral limestone. That means the island has lots of underground water, a key element in what makes Mount Gay unique and why the British decided to focus sugarcane and rum production here in the 17th century. The distillery and plantation grounds are home to a centuries-old, 300-plus-foot well. The water drawn from this well is still used for the distillate and dilution. There’s a virtuous Caribbean circle. Am Gaumen leicht und weich. Der Dreiklang der Fässer erzeugt eine eigene Sinfonie der Aromen. Karamell tropft im Takt aus leicht getoastetem Holz auf ein mit tropischen Früchten belegtem Toastbrot, ein Lederbeutel mit edlem Tabak dudelt vor sich hin und eine Tafel Schokolade summt dazu. Weitere Erlebnisse sind garantiert.

I drank the two XOs against each other. In the nose, the two are very similar. The old XO is a bit more balanced, the Triple Cask has a bit more sweetness and is a bit stronger. On the palate, the Triple Cask shows pleasant Mount Gay typical notes. With a nice sweet note it has clear oak notes with caramel, vanilla and some nut. In contrast to the old XO, it shows some fruit. However, the roasting and smoke aromas are missing or are only recognizable on the margins. I think it's a pity. The finish is very similar, beautifully long with tobacco and lots of wood.