Mount Gay Visitors' Centre — Attraction in undefined

After successful publication of my Barbados Rum blog and thanks to Shane the famous Glasgow Barbadian along with Tina Forde at Mount Gay we were invited to the Mount Gay Signature Rum Tasting Experience at the very impressive Visitors Centre in Bridgetown. Slight criticism first - They really should publicise/advertise it more as you would drive by without noticing it.

Despite being very early we were greeted with warm Barbadian hospitality by the girl on reception. She invited to look round the gift shop which we did and made some early purchases. The same staff member kindly offered to store our purchases until after the tour. We then moved through to the large and impressive bar and sampled a delicious Mount Gay Planters Punch cocktail.

Bang on the start time we were called together for the tasting. This highly recommended experience starts in the library with historical photographs about the history of Mount Gay and stunning historic bottles. Tina our host was extremely polite with a wicked sense of humour. After an introductory chat she moved us to a cinema room where a short video was provided on the history of rum along with a very engaging introduction to over 300 years of the distillery’s heritage. The information is fast moving, fascinating and covers the intricate production processes and procedures from fermentation and distillation to the ageing process in oak barrels.

Afterwards there is the expert guided tasting session which lets be honest is what everybody is really there for. Tina and Lorissa guided us through Mount Gay’s finest rums, including the excellent entry level Eclipse, the complex Black Barrel, and the rich dark XO. Tina even touched on the navy strength Eclipse and cask strength Black Barrel and informed us about the top end 1703 Master Selection at BDS $800 (US $400) a bottle.

Tina was a true professional being knowledgeable, funny, direct when required (some guests talking during the presentation) and very engaging. Tina joined by Lorissa at the tasting bar, eloquently explained the unique flavour profiles, aromas, and production methods that make each Mount Gay rum so unique and special. They are a true credit to their craft.

Following the informative part and the superb tasting, visitors have the option of visiting the venue bar and Mount Gay shop. This provides the option of sampling pool different cocktails and rum tastings along with the opportunity to purchase exclusive bottles and souvenirs.

Along with other guests Sam & Lily (young couple travelling the world on their way home to England from Australia before their wedding) we sampled XO with a coconut ice cube, Green Monkey and a Fox cocktails. They were excellent and to be honest, I’m not a cocktail fan so I wouldn’t order them at a bar for myself but I would definitely order the XO and coconut ice cube again!

This is a highly recommended tour and is up there with the very best of Barbados. Suitable for every level from seasoned rum connoisseurs to those wishing to sample true Barbadian Rum for the first time. They expertly talk you through how to taste straight rum without burning your mouth!

The Mount Gay Signature Rum Tasting is excellent and value for money, it’s also really educational and a very enjoyable experience.

Thanks to Tina, Lorissa, the girl on reception and plus the two expert mixologists behind the bar for making it a magical Mount Gay Experience!

This TOP team lead by Tina are a credit to their craft, if I was Mount Gay Management I’d be looking after these particular staff members very...

Sadly had a poor experience. My friend and I were delayed for an hour with no reasonable explanation given. Then upon arrival (after leaving for a bite and coming back during the delay) I was gesticulated at and spoken to very condescendingly by the tour guide. Which included slamming her hands on the table my friend and I had sat at while we waited for the tour to start... which was a bit embarrassing considering it was in view of the rest of the visitors. I was confused what I did wrong to be frank but apparently it was because I didn't get a complimentary rum punch (even though I went up to the bar and was told I can't have it) and she was apparently "calling" me and my friend to start the tour even though we heard nothing nor received no phone call and we were in the same room as the rest of the guests so why was she targeting us specifically? And if we were in the wrong place I.e should've been in the shop instead of the bar area then this wasn't communicated very clearly at all.

Her behaviour was just utterly bizarre and completely unacceptable and she in my view is not fit to be a tour guide if she is going to speak to visitors like that.

Then during the tour. She made some sarcastic comments about apparently the fact that me and friend weren't smiling (which was understandable given what had happened at the start. She was lucky we didn't walk out) it was a bizarre moment where I left feeling a bit insecure about my mannerisms and quite frankly it wasn't worth what I waited an hour for and came to as part of my first trip to Barbados. She also referred to me as "him" in a very rude way when my friend asked about the smiling issue... So clearly she for no reason took issue with me even though I was just being polite and courteous. Make it make sense.

This tour guide should never host again if she is going to talk to guests in such a way. It was completely unacceptable.

Other than that. Shop was good plenty of options

NB: I will hold my hand up and say perhaps there was a language barrier/communication issue. It was my first time in Barbados and I will admit I found it difficult to adapt to the local dialect/accent. But tour guides should be aware of this. So maybe be a bit patient with your guests.. just a suggestion. Maybe don't humiliate and gesticulate like I'm an idiot in front of everyone. It's just a bit unprofessional in my...

Our Signature Tasting Session at the Mount Gay Visitors' Center was a delightful introduction to Barbados's rum heritage. From the moment we arrived, the reception staff were warm and welcoming, setting a positive tone for our visit. We were immediately greeted with a delicious rum punch, a perfect start while waiting for the group to assemble.

The tour began with an engaging overview of Mount Gay's history and its significance to Barbados, showcased through a display of vintage bottles and informative panels. Our guide was knowledgeable and passionate, providing detailed explanations and emphasizing the groundbreaking fact that Mount Gay is home to the first female Rum Master in Barbados. This was a particularly fascinating detail, highlighting the distillery's progressive approach and the rich history of rum-making on the island.

Following the historical introduction, a short film upstairs further illuminated the rum-making process and the island's history. Then came the tasting! We sampled four distinct rums: Silver, Eclipse, Black Barrel, and XO. Our guide expertly walked us through each one, explaining their unique characteristics and offering tips on how to best appreciate the nuances of flavor.

Overall, the experience was highly enjoyable, and our tour guide was exceptional. The only slight drawback was the large group size, which made the experience feel less intimate compared to other rum tours we've taken on the island. However, the quality of the information, the delicious rum, and the welcoming atmosphere made it a worthwhile visit. We'd definitely recommend it for anyone interested in learning more about Mount Gay and the rich history of Barbadian rum, including the impressive story of their pioneering...