Mount Gay Showcases its Distillation Process
Press Release: Mount Gay Rum is proud to present Origin Series: Volume Two, The Copper Stills Collection, the latest addition to its exclusive, limited-edition Origin Series.
Created by Master Blender Allen Smith, the small-batch release of tasting rums tells the story of two unique methods of distillation, Copper Pot and Copper Column. The pairing rums are identical in ingredients, fermentation, and maturity, but differentiated by one thing - distillation. One rum is 100 percent distilled in a copper pot still and the other is 100 percent distilled in a copper column still.
"We created the Origin Series collections so that we could give rum drinkers the unique opportunity to experience rum by tasting the pure essence of the distinct distillation methods and a deeper understanding of how each part of the process can change the taste of rum entirely," said Smith. "Copper Pot is a rich, intricate interpretation of signature Mount Gay aromatics, robust in flavour and body, while Copper Column is a delicate and mellow expression of our classic profile."
While the Mount Gay flavour profile is typically achieved through the blending of both distillation styles, Volume Two was crafted to give consumers a deeper understanding of the subtleties imparted by each still to allow them to become a more informed rum drinker. The Copper Pot Rum features complex, interwoven notes of chocolate, coconut, and almonds, while the Copper Column Rum is light-bodied with a short, crisp finish highlighted by floral and sweet fruit notes.
Rum aficionados can explore the different aromas and taste of the two rums side by side the Mount Gay way, neat or with a single cube.
Like Volume One of the Origin Series – which featured Virgin Cask and Charred Cask varieties – Volume Two will be presented in bespoke packaging as a 375ml pairing and comes with a detailed booklet that gives an overview of the creation of the two rums.
The collection will be available beginning October 2016 at premium liquor and spirits stores across the U.S, for a suggested retail price of $95.
TFRS Comment: The Origin Series has been created with an educational purpose. The rum world is enjoying a period of analysis right now like no other time and whilst Mount Gay as a brand doesn’t spend any time shouting about why other brands are inferior, or even why they themselves are pretty good, the ability to release these ‘nerdy’ expressions surely reinforces why authentic brands (such as Mount Gay) are generally worthy of our respect and why they seem to be able to produce a range of delicious and fab value rums to which they do not feel the need to add tablespoons of sugar or measures of fruit wine in order to sell more.
This release from Mount Gay, specifically the copper pot still is particularly delicious and reveals an ‘apple’ note I’ve not noticed before in the Mount Gay rum portfolio. Both are aged for (I believe) six years as Allen Smith feels it takes this long for pot still rum to reach the balance they wanted to show. A light rum – such as the column still half of this release, reveals maturity a lot faster than the heavier pot still version will do.
This release isn’t for every day sipping – it’s for those geeky moments when you want to educate yourself a little – train your palate to pick out the details – and of course, better appreciate the Mount Gay range.
I’d like to personally thank Miguel Smith, International Brand Ambassador for Mount Gay Rum for his time and sharing an early sip of the Origins Series with me.
Rum Databank: Mount Gay Rum
Country of origin: Barbados
Website: http://www.mountgayrum.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MountGayRum
