How funny then that a gin guzzling gay boy, finds himself at a place called Mount Gay drinking rums! Please don't tell the good folk at Hendricks. I felt as though I was cheating!
I will admit going into this trip, gin would take a backseat. If you get to Barbados and get the chance, I highly recommend this tour. It was very much like Auntie Mame and Vera Charles, when the bar tend asked if I could be persuaded to stay and enjoy a drink, to which I replied, "Well, maybe just a... tiny tripple."
Three hours later and we were still there! The place is historic, and the good folk of the distillery take you through the fully operational rum making headquarters. Steeped in over 300 years of heritage and expertise, the experience are tales to be told forever in this rum lover's paradise. I was very impressed. The place got its name from the Mount Gilboa plantation that was managed by Sir John Gay Alleyne, a prominent Barbadian politician. After his passing the place was renamed in his honor Mount Gay, which has gone on to the oldest produced rum across the world where it started in 1703. First off, we were even offered to be picked up at out hotel, which with Warbucks and myself was probably a good thing. Once arrived, your met by the most stunning bar and library area, where you meet the rummal tour guide, and an absolute tasty rum punch. The tour then starts at the water spring that goes into the rum, all the way through the creation and storing process. The guide also told us of the amazing social and environmental work the company does on the island. After a very in-depth tour of the plantation, factory and museum, and a great film, the tour ends up in the gorgeous bar area, where your able to take part in classes, tasting flights, or full-on ordering of drinks. Wanting to immerse ourselves, we took part in all three, of course! It was interesting to see the different colors of the rum as it ages. We also went through the tasting notes of two of their rums. A little shopping and more drinking and it was a lovely, if not blurry afternoon.
