Mount Gay Extra Old Reserve Cask Rum

$46.95 750ml 43%

As most boys do, I have lived a large part of my life wishing I was a pirate. Freedom, adventure,

and large amounts of rum; whats not to love! As any pirate worth his salt knows, the West Indies holds

many treasures, and the Mount Gay distillery is chief among them.

Established in 1703, Mount Gay is the oldest rum house in the world, and over the last three

centuries of producing their spirits, they have truly mastered their craft. Barbados rests upon coral

limestone, which naturally filters the islands water you can safely drink tap water in this paradise

and Bajan sugar care is among the best in the world. The purest water, a molasses so good it was referred

to as Black Gold during the 1700s, and fermented in an open-air still house to soak up as much island air

as possible: it should come as no surprise that this is the rum against which all other rums should be

measured.

All Mount Gay rum is aged in imported Tennessee Whisky Casks, and the charred white oak

interiors of these barrels adds complexity and colour to the rum. Extra Old, or XO, is a blend of rums

aged for between 8 and 15 years. As the changing island climate can drastically change the yearly

maturation of casks, the role of Allen Smith who I met when I last visited the facility in 2014 in

selecting the blend of every batch is even more impressive, and he alone creates the consistency across

their product.

XO is a rich amber, with aromas of toasted banana, followed by rich spice and hints of vanilla.

Full bodied, its has a rich and sharp oaky sweetness, with a long warm smooth finish.

Drink it straight, or make a Bajan Rum Punch: 1 part lemon juice, 2 parts simple syrup, 3 parts

XO, and 4 parts ice water, with a pinch of nutmeg. Either way, it tastes like an island paradise.