Mt. Gay Extra Old -NEW- bottle

[KVH64]

Has anyone seen the new Mt. Gay Extra Old bottle design yet? if not, here it is.

http://www.photochimps.com/pp/data/orig/751/rum01-small.jpg

[RobertBurr]

Thanks for sharing. That's a nice bottle. I understand from Mount Gay that they're rolling out a new marketing campaign in April. There may be some more updates coming.

[KVH64]

Thanks for sharing. That's a nice bottle. I understand from Mount Gay that they're rolling out a new marketing campaign in April. There may be some more updates coming.

I thought so too.... looks nicer than the old one. What kind of updates???? Curious minds would like to know!

[Carbon]

Looks very distinguished, but I don't see anything wrong with the current bottle. Is this just a facelift or is the rum going to be changing? Is it time to stock up on another good rum before it's ruined? I hate to be negative, but we've seen this happen all too often recently.

[KINGSTON]

I like to see that Rum Companies are keeping up with updating their packaging and launching new ad campaigns. Marketing is very important.

I like to the new bottle (nothing wrong with the old bottle but...).

[Count Silvio]

Another brand in the thick bottomed bottle style bandwagon.

[RobertBurr]

I've been told by Mount Gay representatives that they are mounting a campaign in April to reposition their products. I expect to see some changes and some new ideas expressed at the upcoming Rum Renaissance festival in Miami in May.

[Hank Koestner]

Nice looking bottle. No matter to me, as long as the rum inside maintains it's quality, and I don't have to pay an increase for a new bottle style. gzzg

[TheRumelier]

I saw a bottle on eBay recently and thought it must have been a vintage bottle I had never seen before. I agree though, I hope they don't change the contents. Maybe with this new campaign we might get some new rums that are not flavoured???g()fy

[Lew Barrett]

I'm with Hank. This is a rum that is a staple in my collection. I sure hope they don't mess with the contents. The low $30 (ish) price makes Mt Gay XO a value proposition for me as well. Why mess with that?

[rumdog007]

I just compared the new bottle with a brand new old bottle. I would call this bottling as exactly the same. But, I will leave it to those with more experience to render an expert opinion. My buddy and I nosed them, tasted them, and tasted them again after a rest. Neither of us could tell when my better half was switching/swapping in a blind test.

[bobt]

I must say, that new bottle sure looks snazzy. If I wasn't already won over by this rum, I would give it a try!

[Hours of Wealth]

i actually just picked up a bottle of this last week (traveled in a truck for 13 hours), bought one bottle for 40$ canadian (our liqour is heavily tasked).

i must say, it is completely amazing, i am 100% in love with it, i will be saving it for special occasions :)

[Hours of Wealth]

sorry for the double post, but does anyone know the age of the mount gay extra old?

[Berbician]

Mount Gay Extra Old has been aged for 10 years.

[Michael]

The MOR database states that Mount Gay Extra Old is a "[b]lend of rums 7, 8 and 10 years old aged in used whisky and bourbon barrels."

[forrest]

I must say, that new bottle sure looks snazzy. If I wasn't already won over by this rum, I would give it a try!

My sentiments exactly!

[Hours of Wealth]

great, thanks a lot both of you :)

it might very well be my favorite rum nowgzzg

[Carbon]

Saw it in person today at Beverage Warehouse in Marina Del Ray. It's quite nice, but IMO the previous bottle had nothing wrong with it. The neck just fit perfectly in your hand. The new one looks nice too, but it's almost trying too hard. I guess they're just wanting it to be more recognizable as a premium product.

[Hours of Wealth]

^i agree, without a decent knowledge of rum and an interest i would never have tried it

im drinking some right now thoughcheers.gif

[primate77]

It shouldn't be offered in a bottle at all... but rather a shallow pool, where I can kneel by the edge, cup my hands, and drink.

[rumdog007]

You conjured a very nice image, primate77! glass.gif

[TheRumelier]

It shouldn't be offered in a bottle at all... but rather a shallow pool, where I can kneel by the edge, cup my hands, and drink.

Or just use a long straw or I could lend you my glass.g()fy

[Bill]

I was shocked to learn that my dear old Extra Old was a blend of 7 to 10 year old rums, especially as I have long believed it was more like a blend of 10 to 17 years! Unfortunately the database is sometimes incorrect, so thought I'd better recheck Mount Gay's website.

The 17 year maturity is correct insofar as the oldest rum in the blend. Whew! Oh, and the MG site also states their rums are aged in used white oak Kentucky bourbon (not whiskey) barrels that have been lightly charred.

As far as the new bottle goes, I'd have to expect a price increase. The new design is unwarranted and a marketing FUBAR. It makes this very unique and highly respected rum less special. The current label and bottles are beautifully understated and classic; they have the considerable force and weight of long tradition and acceptance.

I'll continue to buy Extra Old of course, but the new bottle will end up in the garbage. Or maybe I can use it for my 1 Barrel cooking rum, lol...

[Michael]

Given the previous capta which you provided Bill, it seemed judicious to check the information on the Mount Gay website, lest we be victims of another flight of interpretation.

Is this quote the source of your age statements above?

"EXTRA OLD, in its category, is the reference of the rum world. It is a masterful blend of the finest, aged spirits, selected attentively amongst the oldest reserves with a resulting maturity of 17 years. The force of its oak aromas is softened by its sweet, fruity notes, reminiscent of pastry and bananas. Easily identified thanks to its traditional label and its malt whisky type bottle, its magnificent luminosity, dark amber colour and extreme clarity are the key qualities of this rum. The result of many years of meticulous development, EXTRA OLD has received several Grand Gold Medals and Trophies from the highly respected International Institute for Quality competition."

The sentence: "[i]t is a masterful blend of the finest, aged spirits, selected attentively amongst the oldest reserves with a resulting maturity of 17 years" seems quite ambiguous. How did you interpret the words "resulting maturity"?

Rum Dood appears to have interpeted it as meaning that "the blend of rums comes out with an average age of 17 years". Some sites take it to mean that the oldest rum is 17 years of age. One site stated that it is a blend of rums aged 12 - 17 years.

Another statement on the Mount Gay site states:

"At Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd., we speak in terms of maturity rather than age in actual years. Mount Gay Extra Old Barbados Rum has a maturity of 12-17 years, and this determined by several factors, including the number of years that the rum has spent aging in the barrel. The tropical temperatures in Barbados (an average of 25°-30°C) accelerate maturation, as does the type of barrel used. At Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd., we use only the finest 200 litre-sized charred oak barrels. The beauty of these small-sized barrels is that they provide a larger surface area of oak, allowing the rum to extract a maximum from the charred wood, thus enhancing the maturity of the product."

The phrase "we speak in terms of maturity rather than age in actual years" would seem to indicate that the actual "age" of the rums is not known. Although the age statement in the MOR database may be incorrect, it is not possible to reach that conclusion from an isolated reading of the age statements on the Mount Gay site. Wouldn't it be prudent to investigate further before posting a particular interpretation with certainty?

At first notice, the old XO bottle is preferred over the new edition, but we won't hesitate to keep buying one of our favorites, unless a significant price increase accompanies the revised packaging. glass.gif

[forrest]

Another statement on the Mount Gay site states:

"At Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd., we speak in terms of maturity rather than age in actual years. Mount Gay Extra Old Barbados Rum has a maturity of 12-17 years, and this determined by several factors

Michael, thank you for finding that... i was going to post this (having discussed the implication of the statement with 'several' of their representatives-- who said basically the same thing that you have concluded through erudite research) and i just didn't find it as fast as you...

i agree with both Bill and Michael (and everyone else who said it) in preferring the 'old' bottle, but no one asked me.. (the 'new' one is fine-- i'll be OK, but really it would be nice if someone asked me..)

And also Primates shallow pool does sound attractive!!

[rumdog007]

My only complaint about the new bottle is that when I send some to a friend, it wil cost more for shipping. But, it is my guess that the price will go up, too.

Bill, was your intention "...not whisky" (as cited in the MOR database implying, perhaps, Scotch or Canadian whisky) instead of "...not whiskey"? Otherwise, could you, for my edification, please explain the distinction. I hail from KY and we know all bourbon as whiskey, though, not the other way around. cheers.gif

[Brigand]

Has anyone seen the new Mt. Gay Extra Old bottle design yet? if not, here it is.

http://www.photochimps.com/pp/data/orig/751/rum01-small.jpg
Very nice and sophisticated bottle, I like it.

[Paul C]

Damn the bottle - man the torpedoes.

This rum is so good and I know it will go the way of many of my other recent favorites - it will become "unavailable" for a short time and then the price goes - up - way up.

It just happened to Zacapa 23 and it also just happened with Oronoco.

The next rum I recommend will be Bacardi… :)

pbc

[Carbon]

Damn the bottle - man the torpedoes.

This rum is so good and I know it will go the way of many of my other recent favorites - it will become "unavailable" for a short time and then the price goes - up - way up.

It just happened to Zacapa 23 and it also just happened with Oronoco.

The next rum I recommend will be Bacardi… :)

pbc

The new bottle is already on shelves and at around the same price point, so unless you mean somewhere down the line, I'll happily assuage your fears.

[Hours of Wealth]

I was shocked to learn that my dear old Extra Old was a blend of 7 to 10 year old rums, especially as I have long believed it was more like a blend of 10 to 17 years! Unfortunately the database is sometimes incorrect, so thought I'd better recheck Mount Gay's website.

The 17 year maturity is correct insofar as the oldest rum in the blend. Whew! Oh, and the MG site also states their rums are aged in used white oak Kentucky bourbon (not whiskey) barrels that have been lightly charred.

As far as the new bottle goes, I'd have to expect a price increase. The new design is unwarranted and a marketing FUBAR. It makes this very unique and highly respected rum less special. The current label and bottles are beautifully understated and classic; they have the considerable force and weight of long tradition and acceptance.

I'll continue to buy Extra Old of course, but the new bottle will end up in the garbage. Or maybe I can use it for my 1 Barrel cooking rum, lol...

it's just a bottle :p, hahaha i loved the old bottle though :(

[rumyum]

It's funny how opinions vary. I always thought that while the shape of the old bottle looked nice, the old label looked kinda cheap to me. I find the new bottle and label much more appealing. A huge improvement IMHO.

[M.R.J.]

Another statement on the Mount Gay site states:

"At Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd., we speak in terms of maturity rather than age in actual years. Mount Gay Extra Old Barbados Rum has a maturity of 12-17 years, and this determined by several factors, including the number of years that the rum has spent aging in the barrel. The tropical temperatures in Barbados (an average of 25°-30°C) accelerate maturation, as does the type of barrel used. At Mount Gay Distilleries Ltd., we use only the finest 200 litre-sized charred oak barrels. The beauty of these small-sized barrels is that they provide a larger surface area of oak, allowing the rum to extract a maximum from the charred wood, thus enhancing the maturity of the product."

I must say I am disappointed with the Bajan integrity reading this type of pure rubbish. "Maturity" cannot be measured accurately, and one man's maturity means simply nothing at all. Put an Honest-to-God age statement on yuh darn bottle or buss it, I say!

The barrels are charred ex-Bourbon Whiskey barrels - thats standard stuff. But this game with age statements SIMPLY SHOULD STOP. I hope that European Union and USA will use their powers as target markets and force the rum people start acting like adults instead of small-island cheats. [What Zacapa did (changing the statement from 23years to solera 23) is a step towards the right direction]. I hope WIRSPA will take these kind of issues as seriously as they should and do their job right: As is, their website is still quoting the same fool-the-consumer nonsense..Not the way to do it boys, tut tut!

I love the Mount Gay XO as much as a next man, but this kind of wordplay trickery with the age statement does not do justice to the product at all. Shame...

Edit: New bottle looks better than old IMHO.

[Edward Hamilton]

I just compared the new bottle with a brand new old bottle. I would call this bottling as exactly the same. But, I will leave it to those with more experience to render an expert opinion. My buddy and I nosed them, tasted them, and tasted them again after a rest. Neither of us could tell when my better half was switching/swapping in a blind test.

I've been following this Mount Gay Extra Old Rum since it was first released in 1993. In the subsequent years I thought the flavor diminished as the oldest rum stocks were depleted. According to the marketing people at Mount Gay at the time, they didn't expect great things from this rum as the bulk of their business was a much younger Refined Eclipse.

I was lucky enough to find a bottle in New York last week and am very pleased with the depth and complexity of the rum in this new bottle.

I loved the original bottle and label. I was less impressed with the last label but have to say I like the new package, including the heavy base. To me this package is understated elegance. I look forward to drinking more of this rum.

The age statement I have on my site, is admittedly, from previous discussions with the blender at Mount Gay. I have not read any new information about their age statement. I tend not to take information from websites, without some confirmation.

[ffp911]

The 17 year maturity is correct insofar as the oldest rum in the blend. Whew! Oh, and the MG site also states their rums are aged in used white oak Kentucky bourbon (not whiskey) barrels that have been lightly charred.


I hail from KY and we know all bourbon as whiskey, though, not the other way around.

Rumdog, I think that was Bill's point. Those of us that like our bourbon too, get a little testy when people just call them whiskeys. :)

Jim

[rumdog007]

Rumdog, I think that was Bill's point. Those of us that like our bourbon too, get a little testy when people just call them whiskeys. :)

Jim


Gotcha! HMMR Not Irish, not Rye, not Corn....

thankyou.gif

[Dr Beat]

I must say I am disappointed with the Bajan integrity reading this type of pure rubbish. "Maturity" cannot be measured accurately, and one man's maturity means simply nothing at all. Put an Honest-to-God age statement on yuh darn bottle or buss it, I say!

The barrels are charred ex-Bourbon Whiskey barrels - thats standard stuff. But this game with age statements SIMPLY SHOULD STOP. I hope that European Union and USA will use their powers as target markets and force the rum people start acting like adults instead of small-island cheats. [What Zacapa did (changing the statement from 23years to solera 23) is a step towards the right direction]. I hope WIRSPA will take these kind of issues as seriously as they should and do their job right: As is, their website is still quoting the same fool-the-consumer nonsense..Not the way to do it boys, tut tut!

I love the Mount Gay XO as much as a next man, but this kind of wordplay trickery with the age statement does not do justice to the product at all. Shame...

Edit: New bottle looks better than old IMHO.

I think that talking about maturity is more relevant that pure age. On the same note Mount Gay is loyal as they don't put any age on their labels, so no cheat (you mentioned Zacapa but some others latin rums are using fancy aging).
I am big fan of XO (you can notice it) and the quality is always consistent. No issue. I didn't see yet in Europe the new presentation but I imagine they switch.
On the other hand you can have a 10yo rum, with stated age but that will vary in terms of taste. you should talk to any master blended he will tell you the disparity between casks in terms of maturity (depending of the cask quality etc...)
Look at for example what is doing the Cognac industry... no really age on the labels but mentions that states a minimum aging. So it's up to distilleries/brands to do their blends.
But I do agree that today there is no commun rules in the rum industry on the age of a product. Some are using an average aging, others, like in the Scotch Whisky, the youngest component and others puting the oldest component of the blend....
complex theme

[Ryz]

I LOVE the Mount Gay Extra Old and the bottle does not matter. However, as part of the "new" marketing campaign, I have seen the price increase by a LOT!!

I find the taste of the XO to be similar to the Cockspur VSOR (now called Cockspur 12). A year ago in my area (greater DC) the 2 were priced similarly. Now the XO is almost 60% more expensive.

Glass costs must be rising.

[Seminole]

Not sure how much you are paying for the MGXO in VA, but you can pick it up in Montgomery County, MD for about $35, maybe even $30. The county liquor store in Germantown (Milestone Center) frequently has it on special. I found the MG 1703 just south of Frederick for about $95.

[STR1DER]

Another brand in the thick bottomed bottle style bandwagon.
Gotta love those thick bottoms. Sorry.

Seriously, though. Is it me, or is the price creeping up on XO? Still around $31 here in Ohio, but the online retailer I buy from in NJ wants over $50. Weird.

Also, anyone here a fan of Mt. Gay Sugar Cane Rum? GREAT stuff.

[Jerry]

Yes! Mt. Gay Sugar Cane Rum. Love it!

[rumdog46]

Merry Christmas everyone.

I just got a bottle of MT Gay Extra Old in their new bottle last night as a Christmas gift and was excited to open and sample my old friend. Hmmm is it my imagination or does the blend seem a little different now? I also think the color is slightly of a more mahogany then the darker older version. Please tell me I'm just loosing my mind.

[Edward Hamilton]

You're not loosing your mind rumdog. Blends are a dynamic function of barrel aging, and all that goes into making authentic rums. The only way for any blended product to remain exactly the same color, etc. is for it to be made in a laboratory.
Other factors that change over time are available stocks of rum and the age of the barrels in use at the aging warehouse.
Enjoy the rum.

[Mistahunter]

Interesting observation...you keep hearing stories of products tasting different after some type of bottle change or label change. It's starting to become a trend with rum....damn marketers!!!

Funny thing...I'm not sure how it is in other parts of the US (or world), but in PA, the "state" stores always have the "expensive" or "prestigious" liquor behind the counters or in an display case. MGXO used to be on the "regular" shelves with the other rums (usually top shelf placement) and the price was in the $30-$35 range. I was in the store yesterday and it was "behind the counter" with a $45 price tag. For someone with little to no history with MGXO, he/she would be impressed to see it next to JW Blue Label or a bottle of DOM!!!

This is one of my favorites...I don't know if this will stop me from buying it (although I stocked up on a recent trip to Barbados at half the price) - my supply is good right now. Although I have an "old" and a "new" bottle...I haven't compared them yet.

The question I have pertains to the main driver of the price increase. Is it the new package or the emergence of the their 1703 product? I think it is the latter. Raising the price of MGXO helps justify the approximately $100 they're asking for the 1703.

1703 is damn good...I am not certain it is $60+ better than MGXO. You make these prices closer, people would be more willing to reach higher. Especially if they already think MGXO is a super-premium product.

When in doubt...follow the $$$!!!

[Saxman]

I'am still waiting to get my hands on the new bottle of MGXO, that and I'd love to compare it to the 1703 which looks like I'll have to head down south for, just as well, make another rum trip :-)

[forrest]

Blends are a dynamic function of barrel aging, and all that goes into making authentic rums.
Personally i would be disappointed if everything stayed the same. They say our palates change multiple times every month. Would anything that stayed static be as enjoyable to something that it so dynamic?
The only way for any blended product to remain exactly the same color, etc. is for it to be made in a laboratory.
We can name some of those terrible samples of reductive manipulation. . .
Enjoy the rum.
Let it be!

[Ben]

What is funny is that the pricing of the XO, while it went up in the States, did not change in Canada (at least in Ontario). It still sells short of 40$. It is actually one of the two rums I know that are cheaper in Canada than in US, the other one being Gosling's Reserve (when available).

[Saxman]

What is funny is that the pricing of the XO, while it went up in the States, did not change in Canada (at least in Ontario). It still sells short of 40$. It is actually one of the two rums I know that are cheaper in Canada than in US, the other one being Gosling's Reserve (when available).

You said it Ben "One of the two rums" cheaper than the US, LOL.....well it does get pricey here for some spirits, ie in BC Pyratt X0 $90 or how about Zaya 12 YO for $90. The Goslings Reserve runs $98 here, what does it set you back your way?

[Ben]

You said it Ben "One of the two rums" cheaper than the US, LOL.....well it does get pricey here for some spirits, ie in BC Pyratt X0 $90 or how about Zaya 12 YO for $90. The Goslings Reserve runs $98 here, what does it set you back your way?

It is true that pricing is not flat over all the provinces... I know by consulting the different provincial liquor sites that prices may vary a lot, and specially in BC where you can expect to pay insane amounts for the likes you mentioned, plus the Santa Teresa and the Barbancourt as well. Diplomatico Reserva is quite affordable, and I will make sure to grab a bottle when I visit my sister in Vancouver.

NB has just started selling Pyrat by the way, and it is 47$. Hard to reason why it would be 90$ in BC (and 17$ in Arizona!).

Anyway the Reserve was selling for 54$ at the LCBO this year when it was available. I made sure to buy a bottle at that price, believe me. It's been out of order for now.

[Patapouf]

It is true that pricing is not flat over all the provinces... I know by consulting the different provincial liquor sites that prices may vary a lot, and specially in BC where you can expect to pay insane amounts for the likes you mentioned, plus the Santa Teresa and the Barbancourt as well. Diplomatico Reserva is quite affordable, and I will make sure to grab a bottle when I visit my sister in Vancouver.

NB has just started selling Pyrat by the way, and it is 47$. Hard to reason why it would be 90$ in BC (and 17$ in Arizona!).

Anyway the Reserve was selling for 54$ at the LCBO this year when it was available. I made sure to buy a bottle at that price, believe me. It's been out of order for now.

Is the Pyrat worth 47$ ?

[Ben]

Is the Pyrat worth 47$ ?

Well it depends to whom you ask. Once my favorite rum, over the past years I started seeing the XO as a mix of a quite ordinary rum and added orange flavor.

The mix is very well done, I would add. It is still a favorite to a lot of people I know. I would see it more as a spiced rum than a regular rum.

Knowing that it sells under 25$ in NY, I would not pay 47$ personally.

[Edoc]

Mt Gay XO is around $55 to $60 in New Jersey. Bummer. Pyrat XO is $30.

[mississaugarumman]

This packaging hasn't made it to Canada yet, but I guess it will in time, this is my all time favorite rum, I drink it daily, neat in a glass just by itself.

[bobt]

Well, about two years after first reading about the "new" bottle, it has finally made it to the MLCC store where I shop. At $39.95, I still consider it a bargain for a premium rum.

[Jwilly019]

For those who have tried both bottles, is one better than the other? I found a couple of the older bottles last night and was wondering if there was a reason to grab those instead of the newer bottle, which was the same price.

[rumdog007]

For those who have tried both bottles, is one better than the other? I found a couple of the older bottles last night and was wondering if there was a reason to grab those instead of the newer bottle, which was the same price.

I have both in front of me. I'm giving them a sip for you..... The older bottle is a tad spicier. But, just a bit. These sort of differences are expected in different batches, though. Heck, you'll never go wrong with the older bottle. I always snatch them up when I see one.

cheers.gif

[Jwilly019]

I have both in front of me. I'm giving them a sip for you..... The older bottle is a tad spicier. But, just a bit. These sort of differences are expected in different batches, though. Heck, you'll never go wrong with the older bottle. I always snatch them up when I see one.

cheers.gif

Thanks for all of your "hard" work. :D

I think I'll get an old bottle and right before it runs out, a new bottle and compare the two.

[jjwest]

For those in or passing through Maryland, the Extra Old seems to go on sale fairly often for $32.99 (Montgomery County Liquor Stores). From the prices I see elsewhere, this is a great price for a terrific rum.