When Age Becomes It

by Sara Bonisteel, Posted Apr 3rd 2009 @ 4:30PM

In the world of brown spirits, age is becoming.

Later this month, Mount Gay Rum plans to get into the ultra-premium liquor market with Mount Gay Rum 1703 Old Cask Selection, a blend of rums aged 10 to 30 years.

There's been a lot of talk on Slashfood as of late about what aging can do to rums like Ron Zapaca (aged 23 years) and Old New Orleans (10 year using a special Hurricane Katrina weathering process). Recently Slashfood got to sit down with Chesterfield Browne, the mixologist for Mount Gay, to sip their oldest offering.

Mount Gay is best known for its bottle, which used to carry a detailed map of Barbados used -- legend says -- by sailors to navigate the island. The rum has been made there since 1703.

"We're the rum that invented rum," Browne said over a small glass of the 1703. Thirty years in an old white-oak bourbon barrel on the island of Barbados turns a harsh spirit made from molasses into some seriously smooth liquor. It's still rum, yes, but as smooth as any well-aged Scotch.

"It's About Time" used to be Mount Gay's catch phrase and Browne thinks its apt for 1703 -- the third offering from the company that also produces Mount Gay Eclipse, a rum aged 8 years, and Mount Gay Extra Old, aged 12 to 17 years and colloquially known on Barbados as "Mount Gay Black."

1703 is liable to be known as "Mount Gay Gold" for its label and its $99-a-bottle price tag.

To read more about the other aged rums Slashfood has covered, check out these posts on Ron Zapaca and Old New Orleans.

Filed Under: Food News, Drink Recipes
Tags: mount gay, mount gay 1703, MountGay, MountGay1703, rum, spirits

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-04-2009 @8:12AM Jason said... To another rum post I must add: Gosling's Family Reserve Old Rum, oak aged, best enjoyed as you would a brandy. www.goslingsrum.com for more info including a supplier search.
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