Despite having drank many-a number of Mount Gay cocktails, i recently learnt that the handcrafted rum is the world’s oldest rum producer..! Proven by a legal deed dated from 1703 confirming the existence on their sugar cane estate in Barbados, Mount Gay rum is still made using only the finest sugar cane molasses and pure water filtered through the coral heart of the island.
“Perpetuating a long-standing Barbadian tradition for more than 310 years, Mount Gay rums are handcrafted from a blend of single column and double copper pot distillates and matured in toasted oak barrels, delivering aromatic, flavorful taste, body and refined character.”
If you’re wondering why it’s called Mount Gay rum, its name honours the dude who perfected it back in the day, dear Sir John Gay.
I walked into Joloko to be greeted to select a cocktail. Managed to sample both that afternoon 🙂
The Woulinewa had Mount Gay Eclipse, roasted coconut water, creme de cacao white, and fino sherry.
Mount Gay International Brand Ambassador, Miguel Smith, was present at the luncheon to take us through the brand story.
Born in Barbados and based in London, Miguel amassed over 15 years of experience in the drinks industry in Barbados and the UK (including time at Brompton Brands’ Mahiki, which i went to in 2010!, and Brompton Club); before joining the Mount Gay team to run marketing initiatives for for Europe, Asia and Pacific regions.
“Being born and bred in Barbados, I have a personal passion for this award-winning rum. […] what makes Mount Gay so unique and special: our unparalleled history, our British heritage, our Caribbean roots, our artisanal production and of course our complex flavours.
By understanding that rum has a real history and over 300 years of refinement into the quality spirit that it is today, people can appreciate rum as a fine drink for all occasions.”
The Mount Gay portfolio in Malaysia includes Black Barrel, XO, and Eclipse.
Mount Gay Eclipse is matured between 2-7 years in American whiskey casks. Its intensity hits you at first sip, before your tastebuds adjust – allowing a smooth disposition to follow. So if you’re doing a tasting and tempted to reach for water, don’t! Let your body do its thing.
Approachable to consume at 31°C, it reminded me of holidays; purely due to the amount of rum i used to enjoy in my 20s on islands like Bali…
I sipped it along with my first course of bone marrow with herb salsa and pickled green peppercorns. Decadent and delish!
We then sampled Mount Gay Black Barrel – which has a sweetness in the middle with smoky aftertaste, proving to be the perfect bridge or intro to rum or whiskey.
I opted for a pescetarian main of chargrilled barramundi with rum-coconut sauce and vegetables.
Dessert was delectable sticky date pudding with burnt butter caramel and macadamia nuts, which we were encouraged to pour our Mount Gay XO upon.
Vasenta from FEMALE, me, and Aileen from Women’s Weekly.
May from Rémy Cointreau
Thanks for having me Mount Gay!
More rum and more fun to come!
xxx
