Mount Gay Rum, the world’s oldest running rum distillery dating back to 1703, released its newest expression as part of the Master Blender Collection: Andean Oak Cask, the fourth limited-edition in the exclusive series that celebrates over 300 years of expertise and innovation.
For the 2021 small-batch release, Master Blender Trudiann Branker turned to Andean Oak, a non-traditional wood choice, to explore another layer of aromatic complexity. The casks were used for 11 months to finish the ageing of a single batch of rums distilled twice in traditional copper pot still and aged 14 years in ex-Bourbon casks.
Branker’s innovation began once she had discovered that virgin Andean Oak Casks had never been used in any previous Mount Gay Rum expressions. Over the course of 11 months, she carefully nurtured a specially selected batch of rum until she reached a beautiful marriage of flavors and aromas imparted on the liquid by this unique oak tree, the only oak native to South America. Standing at nearly 82 feet tall, Andean oak trees are found across the mountainous ranges of 18 departments of the Colombian Andes at an altitude ranging from 1,000-3,200m.
Upon entering the bonds at Mount Gay, Branker was intrigued by the light-colored wood and the very subtle aromas of vanilla traditionally found in American oak, alongside the spicy and smoky notes found in Andean Oak. It was there that the idea for the newest expression in the Master Blender Collection was born.
“I was inspired by the incredible feedback we had following my release of The Port Cask Expression and I wanted to push my boundaries further,” she said. “Using a totally new cask paired with a traditional pot still rum created something entirely new, bold and layered that I think rum enthusiasts around the world will thoroughly enjoy.”
The result is described as a delicate, yet opulent layered blend of spice, nutmeg, vanilla, ripe pear and toasted coconut on the palate. Dominantly vanilla on the nose, Mount Gay Andean Oak Cask offers a spiciness on the palate that perfectly complements the fruity notes of the aged pot still rum. This rum evolves as time goes by, revealing depths of flavor over the course of a tasting journey.
Mount Gay Rum is owned by Remy Cointreau and was quoted in the over-the-counter market at $20.20, up 45 cents.