Celebrate National Rum Day with Mount Gay

August 16, 12:00 PMPortland Drinks ExaminerIvy Hover

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In anticipation of National Rum Day (August 16) I tasted a flight of Mount Gay rums, crafted on the Caribbean island of Barbados. The perfect jumping off point is Mount Gay Eclipse Silver; aged for 2 years old this entry-level white rum is 40 percent alcohol (80 proof) and currently retails for $19.45 in Oregon liquor stores. Clean and pleasantly sweet, with unexpectedly complex notes of citrus and mint, this is great for mixing Mojitos.

Mount Gay's flagship Eclipse Gold is an 80 proof blend of rums from two to seven years old, and is priced the same as Eclipse Silver. Very similar in profile, but with more focus on fruit -- including tropical banana and lush apricot, along with creamy vanilla. Decent, but my least favorite of the bunch.

Stepping upward is Mount Gay Extra Old Rum; rested in former Kentucky bourbon barrels for 8-15 years, this spirit is 43 percent alcohol (86 proof) and sells for $45.45. Toasted almond on the nose slips into silky caramel, warm oak, tropical fruits and rich molasses on the tongue before lingering with an excellent, spicy finish. A true delight at a price reasonable for special occasions or gift giving. Do not dare to mix this with cola; use club soda, if you must.

The granddaddy of them all is Mount Gay's newly released 1703 Old Cask Selection. This luxurious reserve is a blend of rums aged for 10-30 years in the previously mentioned bourbon casks, but this level of perfection comes at the price of $100 a bottle (if you can even find it in a store near you, it is not included on the list at Oregon Liquor Search). Exquisitely complicated, the nose is earthy molasses, with intensely lingering flavors of mango, spices, and a delicate hint of wood smoke. Exceptionally long and satisfying finish, from what could very well be the bourbon or cognac of the rum world. Sip this to celebrate.

And speaking of rum, don't forget that Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 is Talk Like a Priate Day. Arrr, that's a fine reason indeed to enjoy some grog.

Articles from other Examiners
Rum Examiner: Mount Gay Celebrates National Rum Day
New York Cocktails Examiner: Mount Gay Rum from Barbados

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