I highly recommend visiting the Mt Gay Rum Distillery for a guided tour, especially if you enjoy history and fine spirits. Their grounds are beautifully maintained, considering how much rum they produce and send abroad. The tour guide was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and entertaining. We arrived at the site fans of Mt Gay Rum and left enthusiastic fans of Mt Gay Rum. Thanks for the memories…

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 well indeed!

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 female Rum Master.

The Mount Gay Visitors' Centre offers an immersive rum experience, blending history, tastings, and cocktail workshops. Guests praise the knowledgeable guides and engaging tours but note high pricing for extras. A must-visit for rum lovers in Barbados. Review sourced by AI from TripAdvisor and Mount Gay's official site

Much, much better than we expected. Our guide was particularly good at explaining the savours and flavours of the different rums. The lunch was delicious and my cocktail of ginger and passion fruit was great

I am not the biggest fan of Rum, but this place was fantastic. The bar and restaurant had great food and drinks (the vegetarian menu is limited though), and the tour was really good. Worth every $ - our tour guide was funny, thoughtful and well-informed. Even the short film about the process was well-made. Overall, we really enjoyed the tasting and even got a cocktail after.

Excellent tour and tasting of Mt Gay rums. Very professional and informative tour guide. Great bar tenders. Definitely worth a visit while in Barbados. Make sure to check out at the gift shop the limited edition rums only available here

We had a fantastic visit to the Mount Gay Rum Visitor Centre in Barbados. From start to finish, it was a well-run, enjoyable experience, and the rum was excellent—but what really made it special was our host, Larissa. She was knowledgeable, engaging, and had a great sense of humor, making the whole tour both fun and informative. You could tell she was passionate about the history and craft behind Mount Gay, and she made sure everyone felt involved. The tasting session was a real highlight, with plenty of great insights into the different rums and how they’re made. The setting was relaxed and welcoming, and the whole experience felt authentic rather than overly commercial. If you’re in Barbados and even remotely interested in rum, this is well worth a visit