Mount Gay XO
Remy Cointreau · Mount Gay Distillery, Saint Lucy Parish, Barbados
Mount Gay XO carries 323 years of history in every sip. The artesian well dug in 1703 still supplies the distillery today, its water filtered through Barbados’ coral bedrock — a natural purification system that adds subtle minerality to the spirit. The triple cask maturation (whiskey, bourbon, and Cognac barrels) creates layers of complexity that unfold over minutes in the glass. Master Blender Jerry Edwards created the original XO expression in 1991, and it was the first XO in the rum category. This is sipping rum at its finest — no mixer needed, no apologies required.
Nose
Roasted coconut, vanilla, charred oak, caramel, clove, Earl Grey tea, marzipan
Palate
Buttery dark chocolate, coconut, vanilla custard, coffee, banana, grilled pineapple, tobacco, leather
Finish
Medium-long with charred oak, ginger spice, stone fruit, and lingering vanilla
- Base Ingredient
- Barbados molasses
- Distillation
- Blend of column still and double retort pot still rums
Cocktail Suggestion
Cocktail — The Coral Reef Old Fashioned: 2 oz Mount Gay XO · 1 bar spoon demerara syrup · 2 dashes Angostura bitters · 1 dash chocolate bitters · Express an orange peel over the glass and drop in. Stir over a large cube.
Food Pairing
Pair with: Crème brûlée with toasted coconut — the caramelized sugar, vanilla, and coconut mirror the rum’s core flavors.
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