Mount Gay’s New Limited-Edition Rum Was Distilled Like a Bourbon

Barbados is home to some of the best rum in the world, and the distillery that has been making it for the longest there is Mount Gay (it’s also considered to be the oldest active rum distillery). The new Master Blender Collection release is a good example of why Barbadian rum is held in such high regard, a limited-edition expression that was made using a Coffey still instead of pot stills.

Master Blender Collection: The Coffey Still Expression is the seventh edition in this series, and the sixth under the watch of master blender Trudiann Branker who has held that position since 2019. This release was made from 100 percent Barbados molasses, distilled solely using the Coffey still, and aged for four years in heavily charred ex-bourbon barrels. On a recent Zoom call, Branker described the Coffey still as a “silent giant” at the distillery. “Mount Gay is famous for its pot stills, but this still is important too,” she said. “[It produces] a spirit that’s floral in nature, but higher in alcohol. Each batch run through the Coffey still takes on its own personality… It’s not only unique because of the still, but it was created using 100 percent local molasses fermented in our open oak vats, almost like an offering of provenance.”

The Master Blender Collection: The Coffey Still Expression is available now in a run of just 5,004 bottles (SRP $240), so check your local specialty retailer to see if it’s in stock. You can also find the rest of the Mount Gay collection, including previous Master Blender releases, available to purchase at ReserveBar.