Mount Gay launches The Port Cask Expression blended rum

Mount Gay has unveiled the latest limited-edition release in its Master Blender Collection series: The Port Cask Expression.

It is the third release in the exclusive collection - which launched in 2018 and celebrates the Barbadian distillery's heritage in rum production - and follows the relaunch of its core range Black Barrel and XO blends. 

For this year's small-batch release, Mount Gay master blender Trudiann Branker used a blend of rums distilled in a traditional column still aged for five years in tawny port casks, together with rums double distilled in a copper pot still aged for 14 years in American whiskey casks and finished in tawny port casks for one year. It is non-chill filtered and bottled at a cask strength of 55% ABV. 

Tasting notes from the distillery say the resulting liquid has notes of vanilla, caramel and almond on the nose and cherry, dried fruit, oak and almond on the palate.

It follows last year's award-winning Pot Still Rum, released bearing Trudiann's signature early in her tenure, and XO: The Peat Smoke Expression, designed by Mount Gay's former master blender Allen Smith.

Of the 2020 release, Trudiann said: "For this release, I wanted to push my boundaries and expertise in rum making and work with a cask that we don't typically work with at Mount Gay. After trying a few, I selected tawny port casks and am thrilled to release this wonderful, rich and multi-facted rum."

A limited run of 6,570 bottles of the Master Blender Collection: The Port Cask Expression will be available at select premium retailers globally in 70cl and 75cl sizes for a recommended sale price of €150 (£135).

5 December 2020 - Bethany Whymark