Objective Notes
Extremely Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth).

Beautiful dark amber in color, the result of years of maturing in American white oak.  Aromatic hints of smoky oak, vanilla, nuts, subtle fruitiness like sweet banana, golden raisin and tart dried plum on the nose.  Mount Gay Tricentennial tastes old, as in traditional, truly befitting what must be considered the benchmark of fine rums. Blended from rums of three vintages, 1969, 1974, and 1976. Tricentennial is blended from some of Mount Gay’s oldest stock. It was released in very limited quantities in 2003 to commemorate their 300th anniversary of distilling fine rum in Barbados. Perfectly balanced, highly complex and sophisticated, with delicate flavors of vanilla, lightly toasted almond, buttery caramel. Highly viscous, yet crisp and not cloying, with a deep, long, warm finish.

Anecdotal Notes
Mount Gay Tricentennial is the most exclusive limited edition rum we have ever tasted. Never ones to allow a new rum discovery to pass us by, RnD stepped into an upscale booze shop in the Caribbean, not expecting to find anything but the usual rums so popular in the central Caribbean. We blinked when we found bottle #842 of Mount Gay Tricentennial, released four years ago and one of only 3000 produced. Our jaws went slack when we looked at the price. We were Sticker Shocked, but in a good way. Only $220 for the finest rum sold by Mount Gay, liquid history in a beautiful decanter packaged inside a leather-like bound box. Truly a beautiful site! We were stunned.

Taster’s Opinion
Mount Gay Tricentennial is in a class by itself. Noble, perfectly aged and blended, this rum defines the scale by which all other rums are judged. It is honorably centered between the overly flavored but quite excellent and smooth aged rums on the one side, and the more distinctly pure cane tasting yet also excellent aged rums on the other. Best enjoyed neat in a wide snifter where it is gently warmed in your hand to release its tantalizing aromas and lure you in for another sip. Please show your respected by sipping neat only. Tricentennial really would be wasted in a mixed drink.

Mount Gay Tricentennial doesn't have to be your favorite to respect and appreciate it. Not everyone's cup of tea, especially at the price, but Tricentennial is very pleasing just to sniff, so you can just savor the aromas from the beautiful bottle if you prefer to hoard this precious rum.

If you ever find a bottle for the price RnD paid, don't hesitate to purchase it. You'll be forever sorry you passed on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sample one of the world's finest and rarest rums. Our only regret is with this rum is... that we didn't buy the other two bottles in the shop!

Most recently tasted by: Roger and Dave in May, 2007 at RnD's south and north tasting rooms in USA.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):  Dave - 10 Flasks; Roger - 10 Flasks