Mount Gay : Master Blender Collection #8 Cognac Cask Expression

Tasting characteristics and recommendations for Mount Gay Master Blender Collection #8 Cognac Cask Expression

Tasting

Appearance
Beautiful golden hue.

Nose
The bouquet opens with intense red fruits, accompanied by creamy vanilla and supple leather. Orange zest brings a citrus freshness that balances the overall aromatic profile.

Palate
The attack reveals juicy cherries and salted caramel, creating a remarkable sweet-and-salty balance. Brown sugar and oak structure the palate, while the 58% ABV delivers expansive warmth without aggressiveness.

Pairings and serving occasions

This exceptional rum is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature, to fully appreciate the complexity imparted by former Rémy Martin Cognac casks.

An exceptional Barbadian rum aged in Cognac casks

Mount Gay, the oldest rum distillery in the world

Mount Gay, founded in 1703 in Barbados, claims the title of the world’s oldest continuously operating rum distillery. Set on 280 acres, it takes its name from Sir John Gay Alleyne, who managed the estate in the 18th century. Since 1989, Mount Gay has been majority-owned by the French group Rémy Cointreau, with the Ward and Hudson families retaining 40% of the shares. The distillery stands out for its exceptional historical continuity, using exclusively Barbadian natural resources and a three-century-old well that remains in operation.

Master Blender Collection #8 Cognac Cask Expression, an exceptional collaboration

This eighth edition of the Master Blender Collection marks a first for Mount Gay: a rum entirely aged in former Cognac casks from Maison Rémy Martin. Trudiann Branker, Mount Gay’s Master Blender, selected exclusively column still rums for their naturally fruitier profile, perfectly suited to this type of maturation.

The French oak casks come from the forests of Limousin, renowned for their wide grain. After 4 years of tropical aging in Barbados—equivalent to 8 years under other latitudes—this rum develops remarkable complexity, with French oak dominating the aromatic profile. This limited edition of 6,276 individually numbered bottles perfectly illustrates Mount Gay’s expertise in the art of blending and maturation.