NEW YORK, NY (June 23, 2026) – Mount Gay, the world’s oldest running rum distillery, today announces the launch of its new Exceptionally Aged Collection, a prestige series that evolves the legacy of the brand’s acclaimed Master Blender Collection. For the first time, the collection introduces clear age statements, underscoring Mount Gay’s commitment to transparency, innovation, and world-class rum making.
The inaugural release features two extremely limited expressions: Exceptionally Aged 15 and Exceptionally Aged 25. Crafted without added sugar or flavoring, both rums are 100% distilled, aged, blended, and bottled at the Mount Gay Distillery in St. Lucy, Barbados. The collection reflects generations of craftsmanship and the foresight of Mount Gay Master Blenders who laid down these spirits decades ago to become the exceptional rums they are today.
A Generational Legacy
The Exceptionally Aged Collection represents a rare collaboration across generations of Mount Gay Master Blenders.
Exceptionally Aged 15 began with former Master Blender Jerry Edwards, who distilled the rum on a single column still and matured it in ex-American oak bourbon casks. Stewardship later passed to former Master Blender Allen Smith and current Master Blender Trudiann Branker, who finalized the blend in 2025 to create a distinctly Mount Gay 15-year-old rum.
Exceptionally Aged 25 was distilled in 1999 on a single column still under Edwards and aged exclusively in ex-American oak bourbon casks for 25 years. Allen Smith oversaw much of its maturation before Branker crafted the final expression, resulting in a rare rum shaped by three generations of Mount Gay expertise.
“The Exceptionally Aged Collection is a tribute to more than 320 years of Mount Gay heritage and to the generations of blenders before me who had the vision to lay down these incredible rums,” said Master Blender Trudiann Branker. “By aging both expressions exclusively in ex-bourbon casks, we were able to achieve an intensity and complexity that truly reflects our heritage, Barbados’ tropical climate, and the character of the spirit straight from the barrel.”
Official Tasting Notes
- Mount Gay Exceptionally Aged 15: Aged a minimum of 15 years in Barbados’ tropical climate and bottled at 43% ABV, non-chill filtered. The nose opens with grapefruit, buttery pastry, banana, vanilla, plum, caramel, and cinnamon. The palate layers butterscotch, vanilla, caramel, orange zest, cocoa nibs, red plum, citrus, and subtle sea salt, finishing medium-bodied and rounded.
- Mount Gay Exceptionally Aged 25: A single-batch rum aged for 25 years and bottled at 47% ABV, non-chill filtered. Aromas of vanilla, red fruit, caramel, citrus, and dark chocolate lead into notes of raisin, cinnamon, toffee, roasted nuts, orange zest, nutmeg, cocoa, and gingerbread, finishing long and silky.
Packaging & Ultra-Limited Global Availability
The collection’s packaging pays tribute to Barbados, with deep ocean blues, warm cream tones inspired by the island’s beaches, embossed wave details, and gold accents that evoke the Caribbean sun. Exceptionally Aged 25 is presented in a premium gift box.
Both expressions are now available in limited quantities across the U.S. while supplies last. Due to the rapid angel’s share evaporation during tropical aging, these quantities are highly finite:
- Exceptionally Aged 15: Only 4,942 bottles available worldwide. Retails for a suggested price of $90 USD.
- Exceptionally Aged 25: An ultra-rare single-batch release with just 2,376 bottles produced globally from the remaining 1999 cask inventory. Retails for a suggested price of $199 USD.
About Mount Gay:
Mount Gay is the World’s oldest running rum distillery, established in 1703. Founded and still located in the Parish of St Lucy, at the northernmost tip of Barbados, Mount Gay rums are crafted using pure, coral-filtered water from our well and the finest Barbadian and Caribbean molasses. For more information, visit www.mountgayrum.com.
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