This Mount Gay XO review is completely unbiased. I purchased the bottle myself (well, the missus got me it, but you know what I mean).
Mount Gay XO Review
Mount Gay XO is the premium drink in Mount Gay’s core range which features Eclipse and the peppery Black Barrel too. It gets a whole lot of love on internet rum forums, and if you find a post asking for recommendations, Mount Gay XO will undoubtedly appear over and over again. People go mad for this stuff.
I’m a contrary kind of fellow though, and after finding myself underwhelmed at their other two core offerings, opened this bottle up with a healthy amount of level-headedness.
How Much is Mount Gay XO?
You’re looking at a price around the £50 mark. This seems to have shot up of late though. The bottle I’m drinking from was purchased for around £35 a year ago. I can’t see anything remotely near that price now, with some sites selling it at a whopping £60.
Those looking for the best prices can still hope to pick up a bottle for around £45 though.
On the Nose
Vanilla vanilla and more vanilla, with a touch of dried fruit. This isn’t the synthetically sweet vanilla that you’ve perhaps encountered in inferior rums though. As far as I’m aware, Bajan rums aren’t allowed to add any sugar or additives to their rum. Somewhat incredibly then, this amazing fragrance is just being imparted from the barrels
Is Mount Gay XO Suitable for Sipping Neat?
Absolutely. That strong, creamy vanilla nose carries through to the palate. The slightly stronger than usual 43% ABV makes itself known and offers a noticeable bite too. This is textbook rum: unadulterated, sweet and rich.
Is Mount Gay XO Suitable for Mixing?
Yeah sure. It’s a bit pricey to mix with, but if you’re that way inclined I’d pay special attention to what you’re mixing with it. While it has a rich taste, I reckon its sweet vanilla overtones would get drowned out by cola. The tang of citrus may also overpower Mount Gay XO’s rounded flavours.
Mount Gay XO Review – Verdict
So far, so good eh? Sounds like a decent review, doesn’t it.
So why do I feel distinctly un-bowled over by Mount Gay XO?
Maybe the level of online hype got to me and I was expecting a rum fit for deities. It’s good, but it’s not particularly complex, and to be honest, has a bit too much of a creamy, sweet vanilla profile for my tastes (despite it having no sugar added).
When I first received it, I thought it was nice enough, but not quite on a par with Appleton Estate 12, or even the blended Hattiers that could both be found at a similar price. Now that you can add an extra £10-£25 onto the purchase of a bottle however, Mount Gay XO makes very little sense to me. 7/10.
You’ll Probably like Mount Gay XO if You Already Like…
Mount Gay Black Barrel, but wish it was less peppery, Hattiers maybe too.
I’m a strong advocate for Mount Gay XO’s rival, 12-year-old Appleton Estate.
There’s also a review on Mount Gay’s slightly cheaper Black Barrel expression.
In a similar price range, but much, MUCH sweeter is Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva.
In this price range, you might want to check out Hattiers Egremont. You can thank me later.