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 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. 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.

The spirits world loves its superlatives, and Mount Gay can claim one of the most coveted. With a deed of sale for the original plantation dated Feb. 20, 1703, Mount Gay is the oldest continuously operating commercial rum producer in the world. The team at Mount Gay strongly suspects production was going on even earlier, and has recently uncovered a deed from 1654 that might seal the case. Today, Mount Gay produces the majority of Barbadian rum that is exported globally. Old Brigand is another locally popular brand, but it’s not nearly as exported. It was a Sober family affair for centuries. 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.Ich habe die beiden XOs gegen einander getrunken. In der Nase sind die beiden sich sehr ähnlich. Der alte XO ist etwas ausgewogener der Triple Cask hat etwas mehr süße und ist etwas kräftiger. Am Gaumen zeigt der Triple Cask angenehme Mount Gay typische Noten. Durchaus süß hat er deutliche Eichen Noten mit Karamel, Vanille und etwas Nuss. Im Gegensatz zum alten XO zeigt er etwas Frucht. Dafür fehlen aber die Röst und Rauch Aromen bzw. sind nur am Rande erkennbar. Finde ich etwas schade. Der Abgang ist sehr ähnlich, schön lang mit Tabak und viel Holz. The initial taste is less watery, you get immediately the wood and the orange peels. The taste is also less spicy and more balanced. And the rest is the same story, tannins, some vanilla, Ein perfekt ausgewogener, harmonisch ausbalancierter Rum der Freude macht. Könnte aber etwas intensiver und tiefgründiger sein. Für Liebhaber "purer" Rum, Geniesser und alle die Freude am Leben haben. 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. 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.

In the nose discreet and somewhat shy. Like a softly sounding triangle, the scents rise from the glass. Harmonious wood tones and caramel notes float up together with tropical fruits and exotic flowers. Spices, citrus zest and something familiar can be found in this euphony. The flagship of Bajan rum rightfully now passes to Seales and any of his offerings. This is not to say that the current MGXO is bad – it appears they are saving the honest, good old stuff for the 1703 which is perhaps the finest Bajan rum we have ever experienced, period.It wasn't until I tasted this, that it became apparent to me, that this is almost exactly what i'm looking for in a barbadian rum. The combination of subtle, elegant flavours combined with personality and slightly dry, spicy hints.

I like the presentation of the MGXO and I also like the robust card sleeve which the rum is housed in. It isn’t cheap and flimsy and gives some nice information regarding the heritage of MGXO. Things like cork stoppers and cardboard sleeves may seem slightly superfluous but sometimes they can be very important when deciding which rum to take to the counter and buy.

The nose is delicious in a bounty beach kinda way, with lots of roasted coconut, vanilla, light charred oak spices and caramel. It really invites you in. 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. Light and soft on the palate. The triad of barrels creates its own symphony of flavors. Caramel drips in rhythm from lightly toasted wood on a toast topped with tropical fruit, a leather pouch of fine tobacco drones on, and a bar of chocolate hums along. Further experiences are guaranteed.