The 2022 entry in the Mount Gay Master Blender Collection is The Madeira Cask Expression rum.

This is the fifth limited-edition launch in the annual top-shelf series from the historic Barbados producer. The series debuted in 2018 with the release of XO: The Peat Smoke Expression, created by former Master Blender Allen Smith. Since 2019, when Trudiann Branker took over as Master Blender, she has overseen the release of the expressions Pot Still Rum, The Port Cask Expression and Andean Oak Cask.  

For this year’s release, Branker looked to Madeira, the Portuguese island off the coast of Morocco, known for making fortified wine. Using only column distilled rums, she placed the liquid in seasoned Madeira wine casks six years ago.

The result is a nose of pear, oak, grapefruit, vanilla and butterscotch, the company reports. On the palate, the column distilled rum is married with Madeira wine notes from the barrel, including honey, grapes, pear, citrus rind and dried fruit.

“I was inspired by Madeira’s rich history and expertise of ageing wine,” says Branker. “When we placed the column distilled rum in these beautiful barrels six years ago, I had a patient curiosity knowing that one day, the liquid from these barrels would bring an entirely new flavor profile to our distinct rum. What developed truly pushed my palate beyond what I thought Mount Gay rum do, and I’m proud to release Madeira Cask as this year’s Master Blender Collection.”