Its time to discuss Mount Gay Extra Old (or Mount Gay Black as it’s known by the locals in Barbados) and although most Rums are enjoyed with a sunset, I enjoyed my Mount Gay Extra Old with fog, gusting winds and torrential rain!

There was no way being as cold as a naked chicken lost in antarctica would prevent me from enjoying this fine rum on my recent tour the one of the worlds greatest wine regions, the Barossa Valley in South Australia. Its the middle of winter there and I was seeking any sort of warmth I could get, and the fact that Limes were selling for $2.50 each it was a good excuse to try it neat - the way this fine blend should be enjoyed!

Not knowing what to expect, I eagerly opened the bottle and took a sniff of the fine aromas. Much different to what I expected although I’m not really sure what I expected to tell the truth.. Rich, spicey, oaky, my taste buds were getting impatient.

Having my friend Sam along for the ride (not much of a rum drinker) made the journey all that more exiting, as I filled our glasses with ice and poured the golden liquid into our cups, Sam (well on his way to happiness from a day of wine tasting) took a gentle sniff and raised his eyebrows. We said cheers, clinked our glasses and took a sip.  Wow…

Feeling as though something had punched me in the back of the throat, sent hot lava down my chest and into my stomach I was initially stunned, but as the heat subsided boy was it good!

A little voice said add a splash of dry ginger - so I did (just a tiny splash), reducing the impact for my second sip and making the rest of the glass a little more enjoyable. Sam did the same and we raised our glasses to Mount Gay Extra Old, the Barossa Valley and to cold weather. Then we played some poker.

The rest as they say is history!

RD