Hoarding Alert: Mount Gay Eclipse Silver Rum

Since we often assume it hasn’t been properly aged, white rum is frequently dismissed as a lesser product than its amber and dark counterparts. Colour, however, can be deceptive in the spirits world and people tend to put more stock into it than they ought to. Many white rums are, in fact, aged, just not in the charred oak that gives other liquors their rich, brown colour (when not artificially added). One such is Mount Gay Eclipse Silver, new to the LCBO this month. It arrives with an added bonus of 15 Air Miles at the moment—a bonus, at least, for those who don’t mind handing over information about exactly how much of what they drink to large marketing companies in exchange for points that might one day be redeemed for toasters.Very nice four-slice toasters, to be sure.

Anyhow, this award-winner is a lovely example of why we should get over our fear of white rums, since it’s just what we’ve expect from Mount Gay: smooth, light, and mildly fruity with a little bite. While it might not be our top choice for a sipping rum, it’s an excellent base for a cocktail, especially the Daiquiri—the “it” drink of the coming season. It’s never too early to get a jump on summer drinking.

Daiquiri:

2 oz silver rum
1 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup (2-1)

Shake over ice and fine strain into chilled coupe.

Mount Gay Eclipse Silver, LCBO 318667, $28.95