mountgayrum.com

Introduction

Mount Gay

Mount Gay Black Barrel: the new spearhead

The story of Mount Gay begins in Barbados. This is where the world’s oldest rum company was established, and where, since 1703, the most complex blends have come to life in ancestral ageing cellars. This heritage is continually and patiently being passed on to our bartender and wine and spirits merchant advocates. A focus on education that explains increasing sales for the brand, whose flagships are Black Barrel and XO. Investment is concentrated on these top-of-the-range extensions; it is targeted to generate added momentum, and is leveraged via the use of social media.

Water

The island of Barbados is formed of coral limestone, a porous stone, which acts as a natural filter for the groundwater deep beneath the island. Thus filtered, this water is some of the purest in the world.

Molasses

Sugar from Barbados is among the finest in the world. In the 18th century, molasses from Barbados was known as “Black Gold,” due to the added value achieved by transforming sugar cane, the raw material for the production of rum. An industry that very quickly became more profitable than the production of sugar.

Fermentation

Fermentation really begins when molasses and filtered water from Barbados are combined with yeast (selected exclusively for Mount Gay). Since the distillery opened in the 18th century, this process has been conducted outdoors, under the Barbados sky.

Distillation

For over three hundred years, the distinct and pure character of Mount Gay rums has come from distillation in traditional column and copper pot stills. A ground-breaking distillation technique in 1703, this process has been in continuous use by Mount Gay ever since.

Ageing

The ageing process is particularly unpredictable in the tropical Caribbean climate, and at Mount Gay, we prefer to talk about maturing. In two or three years, our rums can reach the same level of maturity as an eau-de-vie aged for two or three times as long in a temperate climate.

Today, Mount Gay rums are matured in lightly charred American oak barrels that have previously been used to age American whiskey.

Blending

Blending has been elevated into an art form: a complex alchemy that sits between expert intuition and controlled expertise. Allen Smith is the master of this craft of blending at Mount Gay.

Each individual batch of rum is a blend of dozens of different rums, from both pot and column stills.

terroirs

people

Trudiann Branker / Master Blender

Trudiann Branker

Master Blender2019 - today

First female Master Blender at Mount Gay and in Barbados, Trudiann Branker, graduate of the Siebel Institute and the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, possesses a strong academic background, to which she adds over 11 years working in the spirits industry.

She joined the Mount Gay team in 2014 as the Quality Assurance Manager and followed the same path as Allen Smith within the distillery—and she continues to be inspired by his legacy at Mount Gay. Trudiann now shares the expertise and secrets of Mount Gay’s rums. Her capacity to understand the subtle balance between scientific precision and the instinct necessary for the production of rum is one of her greatest strengths.
Her natural curiosity and great professionalism guarantee a prosperous future for Mount Gay. Trudiann possesses the desire to create, explore new ideas and establish a productive dialogue that is in line with Mount Gay’s ambition. For the oldest continuously running rum distillery in the world, it is a great pride to see her, the first female Master Blender, in this prestigious role.

“It is an honor for me to follow in Allen’s footsteps. It is from him that I learnt the tremendous savoir-faire which allows us to create one of the best rums in the world every day. It is with great pride that I become Mount Gay’s Master Blender … to create new treasures, expand our rums and invent new blends.” -Trudiann Branker

Allen Smith / Master Blender

Allen Smith

Master Blender2010 - 2019

For over twenty years, Allen Smith has been working on the blending and maturation of our rums. Allen Smith joined the Mount Gay Distillery in 1991, and assisted in the blending of Mount Gay Extra Old under the instructions of Master Blender J. Edwards.

In 2009, Allen Smith created Mount Gay 1703 Old Cask Selection. In 2010, Smith was promoted to the role of Master Blender, and now supervises the blending of all our rums, while retaining a spirit of innovation that has been fine-tuned by years of experience. In 2012, he created Mount Gay Black Barrel.

time

  • 1650s

    Planters settle the future Mount Gay plantation.

  • 1703

    The company's oldest deed of property dates from February 1703, making Mount Gay Rum the oldest brand of rum in the world.

  • 1747

    The plantation changes ownership. John Sober owns the estate and gives "power of attorney" to Sir John Gay Alleyne.

  • 1801

    In homage to Sir John Gay Alleyne, the Sober family plantation becomes "Mount Gay."

  • 1910

    Creation of Mount Gay Eclipse

  • 1989

    Mount Gay becomes part of the Rémy Cointreau Group.

  • 1992

    America’s Cup Partner

  • 1994

    Creation of Mount Extra Old

  • 2009

    Creation of 1703 Master Select

  • 2013

    Mount Gay Black Barrel is launched worldwide

  • 2016

    1703 Master Select gets new packaging.

  • 2017

    Time Well Spent campaign is launched worldwide.