Mount Gay has launched Master Blender Collection: The Port Cask Expression, the third in this limited-edition series.

Created by the distillery’s first female Master Blender, Trudiann Branker, Port Cask incorporates Tawny Port casks for the first time in Mount Gay’s history. The result is a blend in line with the signature Mount Gay Rum profile, with added notes of cherry, dried fruit, oak, prune and almond, the company reports.

Mount Gay is located in Barbados, and continues to expand and enhance its portfolio, including the recent relaunch of the signature Black Barrel and XO blends. The Master Blender Collection, which showcases rum innovation, debuted in 2018 with XO: The Peat Smoke Expression, created by former Master Blender Allen Smith. That was followed in 2019 by Pot Still Rum, Branker’s first release as the new master blender.

Aromas for Port Cask include vanilla, caramel, almond and dried fruit, the company reports, before a palate of cherry, dried fruit, oak, spice, prune, currents and almond.

“For this expression, I wanted to take our rum making to another level and utilize a cask that we don’t typically work with at Mount Gay, while still remaining true to over 300 years of brand heritage,” says Branker. “After trying different casks and evaluating the resulting flavors, I selected Tawny Port casks for the bold expression of notes typically found in Port. I am thrilled to release this rich and multi-faceted rum, as well as create something unique and different as part of the Master Blender Collection.”

Bottled at cask strength (55% ABV), Mount Gay: The Port Cask Expression is non-chill filtered. This release will be limited to 2,100 750-ml. bottles in the U.S. It’s available on ReserveBar.com and nationwide at select retailers for a suggested price of $175 per bottle.