Mount Gay Black Barrel

Mount Gay traces its Barbados heritage back to a deed dated 1703 and works in the classic Bajan manner, marrying double retort pot still rum with cleaner column still spirit. Black Barrel takes that blend and gives it an extra maturation in heavily charred bourbon barrels, pushing the wood influence forward, and it is bottled dry with no added sugar, in keeping with the island's transparent, additive free tradition.

The deep toasting shows as charred and toasted oak, vanilla and caramel, lifted by a hint of orange and warm baking spice over the estate's familiar banana and toffee backbone. At 43% it sips light and a little hot, with a dry, roasted, slightly spicy finish, but it comes alive with cola or in a stirred or shaken drink, where the oak and spice cut through. A real, no sugar taste of Barbados that does not strain the budget, aimed squarely at bourbon drinkers and mixers who want genuine island character.