This rum is drier than most. The master blender and his team have really produced a rum here that is different. So, with that being said, let's delve into the basic stats of this spirit and then check it out in the glass.
Region
Barbados
Age Statement
None. The website tells us Mount Gay XO is a blend of aged rums ranging from 8 to 15 years. The 'XO' means 'extra old.'
ABV
43%
Closure
Cork stopper.
Distillery
Mount Gay Distillery is the oldest official rum distillery in the world, established in 1703.
Nose (undiluted)
Bananas, old leather jacket, stewed prunes, English cream, spiced oak, hints of sherry-like notes.
Warm, out of the oven, creme brûlée; melted caramel, cocoa, even some Nestle Quick powder and light banana. Molasses on pancakes, a sprinkling of cinnamon.
Finish (undiluted)
The sugar cane sweetness of the mid-palate transitions by the time of the finish. Once gone from the palate, you are left with sustained, dusty notes of baker's chocolate, with a sprinkling of sage, rosemary and thyme.
General Impressions
This rum is impressive. The price point is affordable. You could spend a lot more for purported 'premium' rums and end up with a lot less. This is a very dry rum that delivers a lot of complexity by the time you reach the finish. Well balanced, never hot or offensive, it's a real delight.
Give it a whirl my friend. It will deliver!
Best,
Jason Debly
Creme brûlée's photo credit: Craig Lee for the New York Times. Use of photo here is purely for illustrative/educational purposes only in accordance with the 'fair use' principle of copyright law.
