Review by: The Auditor

Review #1162; Rum #477

Here we have an offering from the Mount Gay distillery located in Barbados. Per my internet sleuthing this is the old label of Black Barrel, at least compared to the new bottles I see in my local liquor stores. This rum is a molasses based blend of aged boule pot distillates and aged column distillates. Those components were aged in ex-bourbon casks. According to The Fat Rum Pirate, this rum aged for 2-7 years. They were then finished in deeply charred Bourbon oak casks before being bottled with no additives.

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Distillery: Mount Gay

Bottler: Mount Gay

Region: Barbados

Still: Pot and Column

ABV: 43%

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Nose: Vanilla, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Toasted Coconut, orange slice

Palate:  Medium mouthfeel, toasted coconut, dark chocolate, vanilla, black pepper, touch of orange peel

Finish:  Medium length finish, Dark Chocolate, Toasted Coconut, Orange Slice, black pepper, touch of banana

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Conclusion: This is a really flavorful and heavy rum for 43%. The notes just jump out at you. A bit of fruit, spice, and savory notes blend to make a nice sipping rum or one that can be good in a cocktail calling for some aged rum. This is just a really solid enjoyable rum.

Final Score: 85

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Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.