Mount Gay Coffey Still - Tribute to Blues (58%)

Mount Gay proudly introduces the 7th limited edition in the Master Blender Collection: The Coffey Still Expression. This release marks Mount Gay's first Coffey Still release since the still was recommissioned in 2019. This edition pays tribute to Blues and celebrates the legacy of the late distiller, who played a pivotal role at Mount Gay during his career spanning over 50 years. As the world's oldest rum distillery, Mount Gay is passionate about rum heritage. This year's Master Blender Collection offers a glimpse into rum making in the 19th century, when the Coffey Still was invented, bridging the gap between history and modernity. The distillery boasts a rare 100% copper Coffey Still, one of only three in use worldwide. The distillery had been in disrepair for decades but was recommissioned in 2019, marking the first release of a distillation since then.

This wouldn't have been possible without the work of "Blues," also known as Reynold Hinds. Blues, a distilling icon, worked at Mount Gay for over 50 years, creating the rum so beloved today and teaching many the art of distillation. Thanks to Blues's extensive knowledge, engineers were able to restore and, in 2019, reinstate the historic still, which would otherwise have been lost. Today, it is named "Blue's Still" at Mount Gay in honor of this hero. Until his passing in 2021, he made an immeasurable contribution to Mount Gay's craftsmanship. This release is a tribute to his legacy. To honor the historic distillation on the Coffey Still, this release uses 100% Barbadian molasses.

The single-batch copper Coffey Still rum has undergone four years of tropical aging in St. Lucy, Barbados, in heavily toasted ex-bourbon barrels, bringing out rich oak and honey notes. The result is an incredibly floral and rounded rum. At first glance, the rum has golden hues. Upon opening, the nose is full of aromas of pear, vanilla, nutmeg, and light leather. The palate reveals grapefruit, oak, honey, and lightly spiced cinnamon notes, with layers of aromas unfolding with each sip.