Mount Gay has unveiled the 2021 release from its Master Blender Collection, Mount Gay Andean Oak Cask. Last year, the Barbados rum brand added The Port Cask Expression to the series, which incorporated the use of Tawny Port casks for the first time in the brand’s history.
Mount Gay Andean Oak Cask has been crafted from a single batch of twice-distilled pot still rums, aged for 14 years in ex-Bourbon casks, which were then finished for 11 months in virgin Andean oak casks. This is the first time this native South American wood has been used by Mount Gay
In creating the Andean Oak Cask blend, master blender Trudiann Branker worked closely with the distillery’s R&D team to combine the subtle vanilla aromas of American oak with the spicy, smoky notes of Andean oak.
“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,” said Branker of the inspiration behind the new rum. “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.”
Mount Gay Master Blender Collection Andean Oak Cask is the fourth limited-edition release in the annual series, which launched in 2018 with XO: The Peat Smoke Expression, created by former master blender Allen Smith. During her tenure at Mount Gay, Branker has added the Pot Still Rum as well as the previously mentioned Port Cask Expression to the collection.
Bottled at 48% ABV, the rum is non-chill filtered and will be limited to just 2,760 bottles, of which 1,026 bottles will be made available in the US. It’s available at select retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $195 per 750ml bottle.
For more information, head over to Mount Gay’s official website.
