Mount Gay Rum, Black Barrel

Rum gets little respect - far too often used as a ubiquitous blender for cheap cocktails. But rum needs more respect and the sugar cane-based Mount Gay Black Barrel helps to elevate rum as a stand alone rum. Using charred bourbon barrels (referring to the black barrel) for a second maturation this rum from Barbados offers brown spices, sweet caramelized almonds, honeysuckle, apricot, brown sugar and cinnamon, sweet resin and spicy floral notes.  There’s a nice maturity that does not burn the throat but warms the heart.  It's the kind of rum you can easily slip neat, actually the way it should be enjoyed. At a mere $33 it’s a bottle worthy of its price and one you should look to adding to your spirits portfolio. I strongly recommend this.