gay rum dating compilation - bear-magazine.com|The Collection

Contents

heritage. not history.

Mount gay silver

Mount gilboa becomes mount gay.

Revered since 1703.

A tale told at sea.

The inimitable bajan rum shop.

phew, what a strong burn! 2 out of 10

phew, what a strong burn! 3 out of 10

not too much to say 6 out of 10

very rich flavor 8 out of 10

poor man’s mount gay extra old. 8 out of 10

mixing rum 6 out of 10

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Dating back to 1703, Mount Gay has cultivated centuries of unrivaled expertise in creating complex rich and aromatic rums. Located on the northern tip of Barbados, the birthplace of rum, Mount Gay is the world’s oldest running rum distillery. The history of rum and the history of Mount Gay stem from the same roots, and to this day, our rums celebrate centuries of refining our craft, paying homage to our heritage and creating progressive innovations as we continue enriching the genuine rum tradition.

Last year, we debuted the first in a series to showcase the expertise of our master blender, called The Master Blender Collection. The inaugural release was XO The Peat Smoke Expression. Mount Gay continues to honor its past and this year, we look to the original process of rum-making and are proud to reveal the second release in our limited edition collection: Mount Gay Pot Still Rum.

This new expression, using only rums distilled in our double retort pot stills, celebrates the way Mount Gay originally made rum for about 200 years. From the distillery’s inception in 1703 until the early 1900s when a full copper Coffey column was introduced, Mount Gay was a rum made purely in pot stills.

To create the small batch of 4,920 bottles, Trudiann Branker, Mount Gay Master Blender, patiently tasted through countless samples of pot still liquid, ultimately narrowing down the selection to a 2009 vintage. For the first expression under her direction as Master Blender, Branker selected a specific batch distilled in 2009, and six months prior to bottling the liquid, she placed it into virgin ex-whiskey casks to enhance the spicy and roasted nutty notes.

Trudiann Branker has a passion for making rum, balancing the science of distillation with the art of flavor and aroma equally. For her, returning to the roots of rum making was a celebration of the past and a continuation of the legacy of Mount Gay, something for which she is now responsible.

The result is a beautiful rum reminiscent of the past. Golder amber in the glass with notes of butterscotch, toffee, mocha and plum waft through the air when nosing the liquid. On the palate, the liquid is initially spicy, followed up by rich, dried fruits, dark chocolate and oak. History in a glass, this new addition to The Master Blender Collection is one to seek out to celebrate the continuation of a legacy.

Mount Gay Master Blender Trudiann Branker states: “For this release, I wanted to showcase pot still rum in its truest form, to be highlighted for its complex nature, aromatics and taste, and show how delicate and balanced this crafted liquid can be.”

Mount Gay Pot Still Rum’s profile is complex, unveiling different aromas with every sip.

Pot Still Rum is bottled at precisely 48% abv to reveal its true intensity. It is best enjoyed neat or over a large ice cube.

The Master Blender Collection: Mount Gay Pot Still Rum will be limited to 4,920 bottles around the world, with 1,002 bottles available in the U.S., and it will be available at select premium retailers throughout the world.

For more information, visit bear-magazine.com or follow us at @MountGayRum on Facebook and @MountGayRumUS on Instagram

A legal deed dated from February 20, 1703 confirms the existence of a “pot still house” on Mount Gay’s sugar cane Estate in Barbados, establishing Mount Gay as the world’s oldest rum producer. Our distillery name honors the pioneering Sir John Gay who perfected the distinctive Mount Gay style. Still today, only the finest sugar cane molasses and pure water filtered through the coral heart of the island are selected to create Mount Gay rums. Perpetuating a long-standing Barbadian tradition for more than 315 years, Mount Gay rums are handcrafted from a blend of single column and double copper pot distillates and matured in toasted oak barrels, delivering aromatic, flavorful taste, body and refined character.

The Mount Gay portfolio includes 1703, Black Barrel, XO, and Eclipse. Mount Gay is owned by Rémy Cointreau SA.

heritage. not history.

It takes every drop of our heritage – past and present – to make Mount Gay rums. From the founding in 1703, to the legendary leadership of Sir John Gay Alleyne. To the digging of our first and only well. The well that still operates to this day, over 300 years later. To the single-strand fields of cane we’re planting at the estate today. It’s all part of Mount Gay. A story you can taste in every bottle. And a heralded rum heritage. This is more than a rum.

Mount gay silver

Mount Gay Silver. The term “silver” when referring to white rum is not commonly used in releases in the UK and Europe. It seems to be a US thing. I suppose calling it silver rum makes as much sense as calling it white. It’s neither after all – clear rum if anything.

This rum from Mount Gay has proved quite difficult to find. For some (likely political/territorial) reason whilst Mount Gay’s other entry level rum – the gold Eclipse is widely available in the UK, no white (or silver) bottling is easily found.

Occasionally a store such as the Whisky Exchange may import a limited amount but it is very infrequent. In the end I decided to add this bottling onto an order from Excellence Rhum in France.

It worked out fairly pricey. Just under £30 for a 70cl bottle. The ABV is 40%. If it were commercially available here in the UK I would expect it to retail at the same price as the Eclipse. It was previously called Eclipse Silver after all.

Mount Gay Silver is blend of pot and column distilled spirit. The Mount Gay website is, sadly lacking any real details. Which is a disappointment. I presume this has been briefly aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being filtered to make it clear, sorry silver.

We’ve covered most of Mount Gay’s releases to date – some are to difficult to find like the Origins Series Volume 1 or the old style 100 Eclipse Black. They have, in my opinion been left behind in terms of innovation and creativity by Foursquare recently. They still though I suspect shift more units than Foursquare globally. Recent figures show that to be the case.

With a distinct lack of information or anything of real interest to say about Mount Gay beyond what I’ve said before I may as well get on with it and let you know how I found this white, sorry silver rum.

In the glass the rum is completely transparent. The nose gives familiar notes of Mount Gay rum – dessicated coconut, hints of banana and wafts of vanilla. It’s light and very approachable. The alcohol is notable by its absence. As is any sense of any real ageing in terms of oaky-ness and spice in the mix. It’s all very light and reminiscent of the central American white rums. Which are often distilled and filtered to within a millimetre of being vodka, some perhaps are.

Having said that, there is enough in the profile left to reassure me we are dealing with a white rum.

Sipping the rum is also a very surprisingly easy going experience. I expect a lot more burn and bite from white rums especially at entry level. This is really easy going. Perhaps to easy going, as it doesn’t really produce a great deal of flavour. Vanilla is perhaps most prominent backed up with some of that coconut.

Mixing it with my usual diet cola it does very little really. It kind of disappears into the cola and doesn’t really offer much flavour. Botran Reserva Blanca and the Real McCoy 3 did a lot more than this. Strangely the alcohol notes seem more prominent giving a bit of a kick but not really anything to get to excited about.

It works a little better with less demanding mixers such as soda and even lemonade. It probably works nicely in cocktails – the way a more neutral tasting white rum or vodka might.

I’m not hugely surprised with this one to be honest. It’s rarely spoken of. I’ve never been a big fan of the normal Eclipse. No matter how many times I re-try it. I certainly wouldn’t rush to pay £30 plus for another bottle. £15 it might do okay as a weekend mixer if I was stuck for such a thing. Having said that I could get 1 litre of Supermarket white albeit with a slightly lower ABV for around the same price. In terms of level the rums are strikingly similar.

Overall as a producer I really enjoy their aged line up – Black Barrel and the Extra Old but their entry level stuff leaves me cold. I’m hoping they start innovating with their aged rums in the way Richard Seale has over at Foursquare. Whilst volume wise they are winning they are getting talked about less and less in the more serious rum circles.

Which is a shame for such a producer but unfortunately they have rather stood still for a bit too long now. Black Barrel was a replacement and whilst the Distillery Collection rums are a nice addition they aren’t pushing things the way other producers are. With Maison Ferrand now having a controlling stake in WIRD Mount Gay might have to adapt and innovate.

Having said that as long as people buy enough Eclipse maybe they are happy with that? I’m not but hey I’m one person after all, with a very different view of the rum world to most.

Even still this white rum is all a little bit flat sadly.

Mount gilboa becomes mount gay.

A bit of irony here. Mount Gay and our historic landscape was originally owned by John Sober – who inherited a small distillery at the top of Mount Gilboa in the St. Lucy parish of Barbados, far back in 1703.

Eventually, the Sober family hired Sir John Gay Alleyne – a fourth generation Barbadian – to usher in a new era for the distillery. His innovations and achievements were so profoundly successful that the Sober family renamed the entire distillery in his honour. And the world became introduced to a new name with a pedigree of excellence and craftsmanship. Mount Gay.

Revered since 1703.

Inseparable are the natural elements of Barbados and Mount Gay Rum. Since day one, the water, cane and airborne yeast have combined to create our rums.

The process of refining the cane into sugar, then into fermented molasses is more than tradition, it is our most essential ingredient. It’s why Bajan rum is sought the world over. Adored throughout history by famous figures, such as George Washington. Awarded by connoisseurs and critics. Enjoyed at an island-pace by you and friends.

A tale told at sea.

The 18th century was a time of oceanic exploration, discovery and pirateering. Many told stories of reaching the islands of the Caribbean. Of blinding white sands and waters of emerald and sapphire.

Many of these stories weren’t believed, unless said adventurers returned with bottles or casks of Caribbean rum – bona fide proof of a sailor’s journey. To this day our unbreakable bond with sailing perseveres. Mount Gay is truly the world’s standard as the spirit of sailing. Whether you find us sponsoring a major regatta, or simply ready on the shelves below decks of your 22’ cruiser. You too can join us on your own sailing adventure. In 2020, Mount Gay partnered with World Sailing to raise the profile and awareness of eSailing around the world. To participate, register at bear-magazine.com

The inimitable bajan rum shop.

In some places, time doesn’t exist. Only fellowship. And the flavour of Mount Gay Rum. These are Bajan rum shops. Springing up as if almost strategically placed across the island of Barbados.

Where you can enjoy rum. Watch the breezes blow and the sun set. A place to meet for no reason at all, or for matters of business (indeed a former prime minister of Barbados preferred to hold meetings at a rum shop.) These rum shops are where our legacy lives day-in, day-out. Each one is a concentrate of our culture. The beauty of time well spent. And a magic moment of honest good taste that you must experience to believe.

phew, what a strong burn! 2 out of 10

Postedalmost 3 years agoby Joola69 fromUnited Stateswith2810 ratings

Got a bottle of Mount Gay Eclipse Silver from a local grocery store on my last night here at Mexico City. Bottle and label design looks nice and unique. Strong alcohol and such a burn to your nose and palate. This is not a neat sipper due to such a strong burn, so mix it up with your favorite soda.

Got a bottle of Mount Gay Eclipse Silver from a local grocery store on my last night here at Mexico City. Bottle and label design looks nice and unique. Strong alcohol and such a burn to your nose and palate. This is not a neat sipper due to such a strong burn, so mix it up with your favorite soda.

phew, what a strong burn! 3 out of 10

Postedalmost 3 years agoby Joola69 fromUnited Stateswith2810 ratings

Had a rum tasting on a sunny afternoon, because why not. Mount Gay Eclipse Black Rum bottle and label design looks pretty decent. Wood, dryness and smokiness coming through to the nose and palate. Quite a harsh burn at the end, so better to mix it up. Not my cup of tea.

Had a rum tasting on a sunny afternoon, because why not. Mount Gay Eclipse Black Rum bottle and label design looks pretty decent. Wood, dryness and smokiness coming through to the nose and palate. Quite a harsh burn at the end, so better to mix it up. Not my cup of tea.

not too much to say 6 out of 10

Rather plain and dry product, nothing special for my taste. This was the first Mount Gay Rum for me. I think that I need to taste another one too for making sure what it actually is. This one I would use for mixed drinks instead of having it Straight up

very rich flavor 8 out of 10

Postedover 8 years agoby Trini Yank fromTrinidad and Tobagowith41 ratings

All you would want from an overproof, very rich flavour, a bit of sting and it will get you drunk faster than the regular stuff. This was exactly what I was looking for relative to Mt. Gay Eclipse, much more concentrated taste. I know they’re meant to be a different blend, but I find that MG Eclipse is like this with water. I recommend black on the rocks (where there is some burn, but not as much as some reviews would have it) or with coconut water or coke. Really stands up to all mixers and is well priced too.

poor man’s mount gay extra old. 8 out of 10

Postedover 8 years agoby Scott T fromUnited Stateswith222 ratings

At around $20 this rum is a screaming bargain. It shares some of the interesting qualities of its outstanding big brother Extra Old, and is bottled at 100 proof, though still sippable neat.

mixing rum 6 out of 10

Posted2 months agoby Jimmy Cliff(PREMIUM)fromUnited Stateswith316 ratings

Hoped for something better, enjoy most Mount Gay rums this one was a let down. Harsh neat, more of a rum and coke rum, but why mess with regular Eclipse. Not for me.

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The 1703 old cask selection commemorates the date where first evidence of distilling took place at the Mount Gay distillery. Master blender Allen Smith, has utilized aged rums ranging from 10 to 30 years matured in former bourbon casks giving the rum a cognac-like appeal. Mount Gay’s rum is fermented in oak vats, (many distilleries now are using stainless steel to maximise productivity). The wooden vats result in a varying ferment result due to the porous nature of the oak. Many believe this imparts desired flavour compounds in the rum and other spirits alike.

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© 2021 Nicks Wine Merchants (Doncaster) Pty Ltd A.B.N. 19 826 635 151 A.C.N. 006 267 045 Packaged Liquor Licences- 32005543 Nicks Wine Merchants supports the responsible service of alcohol. Under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 it is against the law to supply alcohol to a person under the age of 18 years