Mount gay rum xo

The Master Blender Collection XO: Peat Smoke Expression A Bridge Between Barbados and Islay XO The Peat Smoke Expressions embodies the meeting of two exceptional lands: the island of Barbados, the birthplace of rum, and the island of Islay, the homeland of peated whisky. But one of my very likely answers is Mount Gay XO. Responsible for the old XO is master blender Allen Smith. He started working at Mount Gay in and retired in His successor is Trudiann Branker, the first female master blender in Barbados, who created the new XO blend.

Ideal for sipping or in cocktails, the best Mount Gay rums range from the clean and crisp Mount Gay Silver to the abyss-like depths of Mount Gay XO, and beyond. Mount Gay XO has been “enriched with a broader palette of rums selected, individually aged in three different casks – American Whiskey, Bourbon and Cognac – for five to 17 years, rather than the previous eight to 15 years.

The adjustments to the blend aim to enhance the liquid’s ultimate complexity.”. Mount Gay XO is a blend of spirits distilled in both column and pot stills. Maturation is 8 to 15 years in a combination of American whiskey, bourbon and Cognac casks. Look for flavours of caramel, dried fruit, dark chocolate and spice. Silky smooth, with a lengthy finish, this rum is perfect as an after-dinner sipper.

Mount Gay XO is somewhat of an institution in the rum world. It was one of the few shining lights of unadulterated rum in a sea of sugar added, debatable age statement carrying, faux premium products. There is no best rum in the world to me. I see it more as a reference rum. If someone new to the category asks me what rum tastes like, I could give a thousand answers, as there is such variety in the category.

But one of my very likely answers is Mount Gay XO. Responsible for the old XO is master blender Allen Smith. He started working at Mount Gay in and retired in His successor is Trudiann Branker, the first female master blender in Barbados, who created the new XO blend. The Black Barrel and XO are obvious examples. I was never a big fan of Black Barrel, but the new blend is a big improvement imho.

Much more interesting and approachable for new and old rum drinkers. Is it the same for the XO? The previous XO is a blend of rums aged 8 to 15 years. The new has an age range of 5 to 17 years. The rums in the blend are individually aged in ex-bourbon, cognac and American whiskey casks. I did this tasting on the balcony of my hotel room in Barbados, which was right on the beach. Technically not ideal circumstances for a tasting, but incredibly ideal at the same time.

New Mount Gay XO. Heavenly combo of fruit and oak, old barn wood, hay, marzipan, buttery, rum n raisin ice-cream, tobacco. Very fruity nose. Old Mount Gay XO. Oak, vanilla, light rubber, burnt oak is wonderful, caramel, raisins, chocolate, baking spices.

I prefer new XO on the nose. Oak, vanilla, tobacco, light coconut and a ton of fruit. Light tobacco and oak on the medium finish that has a slight bitter dark chocolate note. Oak is fairly strong, just scraping out a win in the fight against the sweetness and fruitiness.

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The wood spice is turned down a lot vs old XO, but there is more going on overall. A lot more wood spice. Chocolate, vanilla, raisins, light coconut. Less delicate than new, more body. Longer finish with a mild bitterness. There is a bias in familiarity.