The nose is very fruity. Raisin, prunes and currants with a little banana and some tropical fruits a little pineapple perhaps. There is good evidence of ageing on the nose with nice woody notes. There is still a very spirit like smell present but it is nothing in comparison to the Eclipse. From a geological perspective, Barbados is different from volcanically formed Caribbean islands. Barbados is actually the product of accumulated and uplifted coral limestone. That means the island has lots of underground water, a key element in what makes Mount Gay unique and why the British decided to focus sugarcane and rum production here in the 17th century. The distillery and plantation grounds are home to a centuries-old, 300-plus-foot well. The water drawn from this well is still used for the distillate and dilution. There’s a virtuous Caribbean circle. 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,

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. 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. Mount Gay has been closely linked to the world of sailing for decades, as symbolized by its red (often worn-out pink) logo-bearing hat. You can’t buy one — at least not directly from Mount Gay. The only way to get one is to race in one of the scores of regattas that the brand sponsors every year. The new distiller is a glass-ceiling-breaking powerhouse.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.

A perfectly balanced, harmonious rum that is a joy to drink. But could be a little more intense and profound. For lovers of "pure" rum, connoisseurs and all who have joy in life.

Our Rums

I drank the two XOs against each other. In the nose, the two are very similar. The old XO is a bit more balanced, the Triple Cask has a bit more sweetness and is a bit stronger. On the palate, the Triple Cask shows pleasant Mount Gay typical notes. With a nice sweet note it has clear oak notes with caramel, vanilla and some nut. In contrast to the old XO, it shows some fruit. However, the roasting and smoke aromas are missing or are only recognizable on the margins. I think it's a pity. The finish is very similar, beautifully long with tobacco and lots of wood. 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 new presentation of the Mount Gay Extra Old Cask Reserve Rum is in keeping with the Eclipse (Mount Gay’s entry level offerings). The bottle is slightly shorter and rounder. It also has a very nice cork stopper. Like the Eclipse the MGXO has Mount Gay Distilleries etched into the glass of the bottle, as pictured.

Quiet and pleasant on the finish. Fruits, caramel, woods and cocoa linger a bit longer after all, with three toast crumbs remaining at the end. I’ve found it really difficult splitting R L Seale’s, MGXO and Captain Bligh XO. In terms of presentation it is a two horse race between Seale’s odd ball offering and Mount Gay’s more contemporary approach. However, I don’t really give marks to the presentation (it might overall influence things subconsciously). In terms of taste I found MGXO to be slightly more to my taste’s than R L Seale’s. The difference however wasn’t enough for an extra mark or half mark! BTW, the term “XO” is perhaps one of the most abused and meaningless stamps every used. Like “premium” and “super premium” it is practically meaningless. Mount Gay never used age statements and didn’t have to for so many years. To be fair rogue rum’s age statements were never enforced and are mostly made up. Reporting color is another fool’s errand, as rum is widely and often heavily colored (and altered). One such variety in use is BT7782, which translates to bred in Barbados, selected for growth in Trinidad in 1977, and assigned the number 82 during research.The Mount Gay XO Triple Cask is the direct successor to the XO Old Reserva. In contrast to the old XO, the new XO is not only stored in oak barrels, but also in American whisky and cognac barrels. The exact age is not known. At 43%, the XO is bottled in the classic Mount Gay bottle. The rum comes naturally from Barbados and is therefore without additives.

The aroma of the rum begins with a swirl of fruit, vanilla, and oak notes. After the liquid settles, the light astringency of the alcohol weaves with notes of fresh banana, Crème Brule, raisins, Ceylon tea, and toasted tobacco leaf. PalateMount Gay co-ferments local and imported molasses. The proprietary yeast strain is based off a captured wild yeast, which Mount Gay’s team then bred for consistency. You’ll know a Mount Gay fan when you see them. 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. 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. 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.