Mount Gay expands its ultra-premium portfolio with new exceptionally aged collection

• Mount Gay expands its aged rum offering with launch of the Exceptionally Aged Collection
• The two lines – Exceptionally Aged 15 (RRP: £75) and Exceptionally Aged 25 (RRP: £165) – tap into the growing demand for aged and premium rums
• Mount Gay Exceptionally Aged 15 is available through independent retailers with Exceptionally Aged 25 to follow from July

Mount Gay, the world’s oldest running rum distillery, is lanching a prestigious Exceptionally Aged Collection to cater to the rapid rise of premium rums.

The two-strong lineup – Exceptionally Aged 15 and Exceptionally Aged 25 – plays to the growing thirst for high-quality rums in the UK, which is now the fastest-growing rum market in Europe^[1].

Exceptionally Aged 15 will roll out for Father’s Day and Exceptionally Aged 25 – only 2,376 bottles of which will be available globally – will launch from July. The collections will be available through selected independent retailers including The Whiskey Exchange and Master of Malt.

To support the launch, Mount Gay will showcase the new Exceptionally Aged Collection at The Whisky Exchange Rum Show in London this July, where both trade and consumers will have the opportunity to sample the new expression and learn more about the craftmanship behind the collection.

Mount Gay Exceptionally Aged 15 (43% ABV) is a blend aged for a minimum of 15 years in ex-American oak bourbon casks,  in Barbados’s warm, tropical climate with aromas of zesty grapefruit, comforting buttery pastry, and tastes of butterscotch, vanilla, and caramel.

The Mount Gay Exceptionally Aged 25 (47% ABV) is a single-batch rum distilled in 1999 and aged for precisely 25 years exclusively in ex-American oak bourbon casks. The nose leads with aromas of vanilla and red fruits, complemented by rich caramel and harmoniously balanced with hints of citrus and dark chocolate and tasting notes of raisin, warm cinnamon, and tangy citrus.

Research shows consumers seek higher-quality, craft, and small-batch rums with refined taste profiles^[2]. Already, premium rum has transformed from a niche category to a key growth driver for the category, as consumers increasingly trade up to premium expressions. In the UK, premium-and-above rums are expected to grow by 3%^[3], while the super-premium-and-above segment is expected to grow by 8%^[4], highlighting the rising appetite for more elevated rum experiences.

The Exceptionally Aged Collection plays to this trend with lines that invite rum drinkers to explore and savour their unique character.

Nick Ganich, Marketing Director at Remy Cointreau, says: “ The launch of the Exceptionally Aged Collection is a significant moment for Mount Gay, further strengthening our offering in the growing premium rum category. As consumers continue to seek out premium spirits that offer authenticity and craftmanship, these new expressions, crafted and aged in Barbados, provide a taste of the very best of Barbados rum-making.”

The Exceptionally Aged Collection is a living legacy, born from the foresight and dedicated work of generations of Mount Gay Master Blenders who carefully laid down the spirits that would become tomorrow’s exceptional rums. Both expressions proudly adhere to Mount Gay’s uncompromising commitment to quality, crafted without any added sugar or flavouring. Every drop is 100% distilled, matured, blended, and bottled at the Mount Gay distillery in St. Lucy, Barbados, imbued with the unique essence of our tropical island.

“The Exceptionally Aged Collection is a profound tribute to the 320 years of heritage and to the generations of blenders before me. With both the 15 and 25-year-old, we chose to honour the original vision by ageing them exclusively in ex-Bourbon casks, resulting in a desired intensity and complexity that beautifully matches the heritage. These rums offer a taste as close to what comes directly from the barrel as possible, a perfect representation of our legacy and the unique tropical climate of Barbados” says Master Blender Trudiann Branker.

The Exceptionally Aged 15 and Exceptionally Aged 25 have respective RRPs of £75 and £165 and are best enjoyed, neat or on the rocks.