Mount Gay 1703 Eclipse Rum

Mount Gay Eclipse Heritage Blend Rum. Mount Gay Distilleries, St. Lucy, Barbados — the reference expression of the world's oldest documented rum distillery (1703), the internal benchmark against which Master Blender Trudiann Branker calibrates every rum in the Mount Gay range. Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025.

A legal deed dated February 20, 1703 confirms rum production at the Mount Gay estate in St. Lucy, Barbados — the oldest documented record of rum distillation in the world. Eclipse is the cornerstone of that heritage: the everyday expression that defines the Mount Gay house style, and the rum that Master Blender Trudiann Branker — the first female Master Blender in Barbados's history — uses as her internal reference when building every other rum in the range.

Eclipse is a blend of double-retort copper pot still rum and traditional column still rum, aged in ex-American whiskey casks. The combination of still types gives the rum its characteristic balance: the pot still contributes body and rich tropical fruit; the column still adds freshness, citrus, and elegance. Aged 2–3 years in charred ex-American whiskey barrels. Named for the simultaneous appearance of a total solar eclipse and Halley's comet in 1910, which inspired the name that has endured ever since. Daniel Craig orders it with soda water as James Bond in Casino Royale.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Fresh vanilla, almond, ripe banana, caramel, and dark chocolate. Distinctive notes of summer fruit and spice. Full and rounded with flowers and honey underneath.
• Palate: Fruity and well-rounded — banana, vanilla, toasted oak, and spice with a slight smoky character from the American whiskey casks. Light-to-medium body. An oaky character with subtle burnt notes.
• Finish: Long and spiced with toasty oak. The oak and spice linger pleasantly.

Specs

• Distillery: Mount Gay Distilleries, St. Lucy, Barbados (est. 1703 — world's oldest documented rum distillery)
• Master Blender: Trudiann Branker (first female Master Blender in Barbados's history)
• Distillation: Double-retort copper pot still + traditional column still
• Aging: 2–3 years in charred ex-American whiskey casks
• Awards: Gold Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025
• ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is Eclipse called the "reference" rum? Master Blender Trudiann Branker uses Eclipse as her internal benchmark — when blending the XO, Black Barrel, or any other Mount Gay expression, Eclipse defines the house style that every other rum is measured against. It is the DNA of Mount Gay in a bottle.
• What does Mount Gay Eclipse taste like? Fresh vanilla, almond, ripe banana, caramel, and dark chocolate on the nose. Fruity and well-rounded on the palate with banana, vanilla, toasted oak, and spice. Long, spiced oak finish.
• Is Mount Gay Eclipse good for cocktails? Yes — it is primarily a cocktail rum. Its balanced 40% ABV, tropical fruit character, and clean oak structure make it excellent in rum punches, Bajan cocktails, or any classic calling for a Barbadian gold rum. James Bond orders it with soda water.
• What is special about the 1703 date? A legal deed dated February 20, 1703 confirms rum production at the Mount Gay estate — the oldest documented record of rum distillation in the world. No other operating rum distillery can document an earlier date of continuous production.
• How does Eclipse compare to the XO? Eclipse is the entry-level cocktail rum; XO is the premium sipping rum. Eclipse is aged 2–3 years in one cask type; XO is aged 5–17 years across three different cask types. Eclipse is for mixing; XO is for the glass.