Got this quick note from a friend regarding the origins of what I believe is our most valuable asset. (tip of the hat to you K.H!) Thought I'd share it with you, so here you go;
Over the years I've given this as a gift to so many friends abroad as it is one of the few rums I can stand. Plus rum "bibbers" (Bajan for connoisseurs/quasi-alcoholics) tell me it's good stuff! Of course I always get the: "why's it Mount GAY?" followed by a snicker! I usually roll my eyes and say - it was 1703 I don't think they had homophobia on the mind! Anyway, thanks to the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association's newsletter I now know why! And now so can you:
Did You Know??
Mount Gay Rum is probably the oldest rum in the world. A tattered title deed confirms that rum production on the Mount Gay Estate in Barbados was well underway in 1703. In those days, the making of good rum took precedence over its documentation. Little did they know they were making history.
The Mount Gay Estate was originally called “Mount Gilboa” and was located in the northern parish of St. Lucy. In 1801, it was renamed to honour the late caretaker and eminent son of Barbados, Sir John Gay Alleyne. A mount Alleyne was already in existence, so the estate became “Mount Gay” and that is how it has remained to this day.
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Wow, really nice trivia there, so all this time we thought that it was named after a gay person rather than a gay surname.
ReplyDeleteSarcasm doesn't become you.
ReplyDeleteIf indeed your sincerity floated over my head, I apologise in advance.