Mount Gay’s Latest Aged Rum Is a Must-Try for Fans of Peated Scotch

Mount Gay’s newest Single Estate Series release, 25_04_Vt19dp, may be a Barbados rum — but it has a surprising twist for drinkers who usually reach for peated scotch. Released in October, the limited-edition expression delivers a mix of tropical sweetness, earthy depth and smoky-adjacent grit that mirrors some of the most beloved Islay profiles. For scotch lovers open to exploring outside their usual lane, this bottle is a standout.

The fourth entry in Mount Gay’s terroir-driven Single Estate line, 25_04_Vt19dp was crafted by Master Blender Trudiann Branker using rum distilled from the distillery’s 2019 estate sugar cane harvest in Saint Lucy. The liquid is 100% double-pot-distilled from Mount Gay’s own molasses, grown on the Oxford Estate, aged five years in ex-bourbon barrels, and bottled at a robust 55% ABV. At $350, it’s positioned as a collector-grade release — but one with serious flavor credentials.

In my full review of Mount Gay Single Estate Series 25_04_Vt19dp — which you can read here — the first impression was immediate: the nose carries a rubbery, earthy edge that recalls peated whisky. Not smoke, per se, but that same gritty, industrial vibe that anchors even the fruitiest Islay malts. Admittedly, I came into the experience as a whiskey drinker first and foremost, but I’ve tasted plenty of rums, as well, and certainly wasn’t expecting a peat-adjacent flavor profile.

Traditional rum markers show up — tropical fruit, soft sweetness — yet they never overpower that darker, moodier backbone. Notes like grilled mango, mint, horseradish and a gritty rubber tone create a tension that’s unusual for Barbadian rum and deeply compelling.

The palate continues the push-and-pull dynamic. A moderate-to-rich mouthfeel sets the stage for bright pear, apple and mango before shifting into softer coconut and sugar-cookie sweetness. All the while, the darker profile lurks: tobacco, coffee grounds and that rubbery note.

None of these profiles dominate. Instead, the rum’s dual identities — sunny, tropical fruit and brooding, earthy depth — work together in remarkable harmony. Fans of Ardbeg’s sweeter releases or anything else Islay will recognize and appreciate the balance.

The finish leans grassy and long, bursting with vanilla, pear and a massive sugarcane character. As it winds down, a funky tropical note emerges, reminding you that yes, this is indeed a Barbadian rum.

Why Peated Scotch Drinkers Need to Taste This Rum

While there’s no actual peat in this rum, the profile delivers many of the qualities that Scotch drinkers look for:

• Earthiness and depth reminiscent of coastal or lightly peated malts
• A high ABV that preserves complexity
• A layered palate that flips between sweet and savory
• A long, evolving finish with grassy, vegetal and funky tones

It’s a rare opportunity for Scotch fans to explore rum without sacrificing the tension and darkness they enjoy in whisky.

A Holiday-Ready Splurge

At $350, Mount Gay’s 25_04_Vt19dp is undeniably a premium buy. But it’s also one of the most distinctive rums of the year — a bottle that will fascinate rum lovers, whisky lovers and collectors alike. If you’re gifting for someone who appreciates peated Scotch or experimental rum profiles, this is a luxurious and genuinely thoughtful choice.

Read our full tasting notes and verdict in the complete review of Mount Gay Single Estate Series 25_04_Vt19dp here.