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DRINKS FEATURES
FEATURED SPIRIT
MOUNT GAY RUM
The majority of the world’s finest rum is produced in the Caribbean, and Mount Gay rum from Barbados is a great example of this. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the West Indies in the late 15th century he quickly realised that the hot weather and humid climate made the area perfect for the growth of sugar cane, and soon there were massive plantations on every Island.
Not long after, the enterprising sugar cane farmers - keen to reap as much profit as possible from the crop - discovered that you could also distil a bi-product of sugar cane to make an alcoholic liquid, otherwise known as rum.
The first written evidence of rum production dates back to the Mount Gay estate in 1703, which makes Mount Gay rum the oldest in the world. The estate had a variety of owners in the early days but was eventually named after Sir John Gay Alleyne who ran the estate very successfully from 1787 to 1801.
Part of the success of the rum can be traced back to 1796 when a certain Captain Bligh (of Mutiny on the Bounty fame) imported a new type of sugar cane into Barbados, producing rum of even better quality.
The rum which Mount Gay is best known for today is called Mount Gay Eclipse; so named as in the year it was produced (1910) there was a famous solar eclipse. This rum is exceptionally smooth on the palate, and can be drank on the rocks, with a mixer, or in a daiquiri.
Mount Gay rum has survived many tough times, especially in the 20th century when prohibition followed by two world wars hit the company hard. Since then however, they have gone from strength to strength and have won several prestigious awards for their rum.
If you feel like treating yourself try the Mount Gay Extra Old, which was released in 1991. As the name suggests, this is a blend of rums which have been matured in oak barrels for 10-15 years - an exceptional rum and you will be hard pushed to find one better. Enjoy! |
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