Mount Gay Black Barrel Release
We are pleased to announce that a new premium rum has joined our growing collection of fine spirits. Mount Gay Black Barrel Rum is the latest expression from the world's oldest working rum distillery. Though referred to as "latest," it has been around since 2013. Initially released in the U.S. and select parts of Europe, it wasn’t available in the UK until 2014.
Mount Gay Black Barrel was created to celebrate the brand’s 311-year legacy, highlighting the craft, refinement, and excellence that have defined Mount Gay since 1703. For more than three centuries, Mount Gay has upheld a long-standing Barbadian tradition of producing the world’s most refined rum. Only the finest sugar cane molasses and pure water—filtered through the coral heart of the island—are selected for Mount Gay rums.
Black Barrel boasts double pot distillation and a secondary maturation in bourbon oak barrels, combined with meticulous blending by the Master Blender to achieve exceptional quality. All Mount Gay rums are crafted from a blend of single column and double copper pot distillates and matured in toasted oak barrels.
This particular rum contains a higher proportion of double distillates, and after hand selection by Master Blender Allen Smith, Black Barrel becomes the only Mount Gay marque finished in charred bourbon oak barrels. The result is a bold rum featuring pepper, spice, and wood notes that provide remarkable body and fullness.
On the nose, Black Barrel delivers a blend of fruit, oaky vanilla, and sweet caramel. According to Smith, Black Barrel is "Ready when it’s ready, not before." Smith, who has overseen Mount Gay’s maturation facility in Barbados' parish of St. Lucy since 1991, played a key role in developing the award-winning Extra Old blend.
Smith further explains: "Rum blending is an art passed down for generations, and I am honoured to continue the brand’s focus on innovation and refinement with the introduction of Black Barrel. We are thrilled to give our consumers an exceptional, high-quality spirit to appreciate for years to come."
Mount Gay Black Barrel Barbados Rum
The Black Barrel has a rich, inviting dark copper-gold hue, reminiscent of rum drawn from deeply charred barrels. The nose is lively but not overly astringent. Citrus dominates initially—lemon, lime, and orange—followed by underlying sweetness from vanilla, candied almonds, and burnt cream.
With my first sip, the classic Mount Gay profile is immediately recognizable—medium spice and sweetness, alongside citrus and vanilla. However, the standout difference is the pronounced smokiness, particularly noticeable on the spicy finish. Layers of pepper, spice, caramel, and molasses unfold, with hints of fruit—possibly pineapple and ripened plums—adding depth.
Overall, this is an excellent rum and remarkable value at the £30 price point. Some neat-sipping enthusiasts may find it a bit too smoky, but others will love its bold character. It’s an excellent choice for mixing, pairing exceptionally well with cola or lending an extra kick to rum cocktails that demand intensity.