Rum Connoisseur

Interview Of The Week

TRUDIANN BRANKER

Mount Gay´s Master Blender

 

1. Who is Trudiann Branker?

A graduate of The Siebel Institute and the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, Trudiann Branker possesses a strong academic background to which she adds over 11 years working in the spirits industry. Trudiann joined the Mount Gay team in 2014 as the Quality Assurance Manager. She followed the same path as Allen Smith within the distillery. In April 2019 Trudiann was appointed the prestigious role of Master Blender; she is the distillery’s and Barbados’ first female Master Blender.

Trudiann now shares the expertise and secrets of Mount Gay rums. Her capacity to understand the subtle balance between scientific precision and the instinct necessary for the production of rum is one of her greatest strengths, and she possesses a desire to create and explore new ideas. With her introduction and under her leadership, Mount Gay has embarked on a new chapter for the distillery’s rich history.

 

2. Biggest achievement you personally feel you have accomplished for the rum industry.

Since taking on the role of new Master Blender, I’ve had the opportunity to be part of a pivotal moment for Mount Gay as we reset the brand, while paying homage to our heritage. Leveraging over 300 years of craftsmanship and expertise, one of my biggest achievements has been working closely with the team to enrich tradition and refine our premium portfolio, including a shift toward more transparency with our brand and liquids as part of this reset.

 

3. What made you fall in love with rum and when did it happen?

Being from Barbados, rum is a big part of our heritage, and I have had a love for it for many years. Prior to Mount Gay, I worked in the beer industry and when I made the move to Mount Gay five years ago, I worked under our former Master Blender Allen Smith. As a Barbadian, it’s an honor to join Mount Gay and take part in the rum tradition.

 

4. What is that thing that makes you want to continue in the rum industry?

It’s exciting to be able to introduce new blends and innovations, while paying tribute to rum traditions. At Mount Gay, we have the history, heritage and expertise that is more than 300 years old, and there is great opportunity to keep refining the craft and continue to produce liquids that delight discerning, sophisticated palates. It’s also an important time for the rum industry, especially the ultra-premium segment, where we have seen growth and increased interest in crafted rum. There is still a lot of discovery for consumers within the rum industry and I look forward to taking that journey with them.

 

 5. Favourite Drink + Recipe

My go-to drink is Mount Gay XO and soda water.

 

6. Where do you see the rum industry today and in the next 5 years?

We’ve seen a growth in the premium rum segment and also an increased interest in aged rum. Additionally, I’ve noticed that consumers want to know more about what they are drinking, as they’re more aware of what they are putting on their palates and in their glasses. They want to understand the brand’s heritage, values, history and processes behind making it. This increased level of discernment is helping to premiumize and grow the category, and I expect this movement to continue.

 

7. What do you think needs to happen to grow the premium category of rum?

First, we need to change perceptions of rum, moving away from a belief that rum is low quality, for party occasions. Instead, we need to show it can also be sipped and that it is a diverse category with different styles of rum influenced by the terroir, processes and expertise of people making the liquids. Mount Gay is different from other rums: in terms of process it can be compared to a single malt, and style/ taste wise, it is “dry” which rich notes of ripe fruits and baked spices.

Education is also crucial for craft rum brands to grow its demographic and the category. At Mount Gay, it’s important for us to share the genuine rum tradition as we showcase our products and points of differentiation. We’re proud of our heritage, craftsmanship, terroir and values, and we aim to be transparent with consumers about what they are enjoying.

 

8. Which rum would you recommend a person that:

• Sipping a premium rum for the 1st time 
  • Eclipse – Light and refreshing, it’s the perfect rum to use in rum punch, mai tai or simply mixed with tonic water.
• Likes Scotch Whisky
  • XO The Peat Smoke Expressoin – this unconventional limited edition blend crafted by the previous Mount Gay Master Blender Allen Smith is a complex blend marrying the aromas of ripe bananas and toasted notes of Mount Gay XO, with the salty and smoky notes coming from peated whisky casks.
• Likes Bourbon
  • Black Barrel – our new blend as part of the Mount Gay brand reset is crafted from a blend of intense and aromatic rums, distilled in traditional copper pot and column stills and matured between 3 to 7 years in American whiskey casks and then finished for 6 months in deeply charred Bourbon casks. It also has a higher proportion of Pot Still to reveal its natural spices and oaky notes.
• Likes Gin or Vodka
  • Silver Eclipse – offers a balanced harmony of sugar cane syrup and banana, infused with notes of peppermint and citrus.
• Likes Cognac
  • XO – Our enhanced new blend is distilled in traditional copper pot and column stills and matured between 5 to 17 years in American whiskey, bourbon and cognac casks.

 

9. Share some (2-3) of your mentors and how they have helped you.

– Allen Smith, our previous Master Blender is a mentor of mine. He took me under his wing at the start of my career at Mount Gay and we worked closely together with the liquid. I learned a lot from him and it’s an honor to follow in his footsteps.

– Jerry Edwards – at the start of my career, Jerry encouraged me to have my own identity in the rum world and fostered the deep respect I have for tradition.

 

10. What 3-5 things do you have in your bucket list for the next 12 months?

– Release the 3^rd opus of the Master Blender Collection

– Share my passion of rum making by educating consumers and trade across multiple markets and US in particular  on the superior quality of our products.

– Continue to challenge myself and seek to create rich and flavorful rums for discerning palate in the true Barbadian style.

11. Any last words?

In 2020 Mount Gay Rum unveils a new chapter with the reset of the brand, leveraging over 300 years of heritage and tradition. In addition to embracing transparency with our brand and how are liquids are made, we have updated two of our core blends from our premium portfolio, with a new blend for Mount Gay Black Barrel and an enriched blend for Mount Gay XO.

 

12. How can people learn more about you? Website? Social Media Page

Please visit https://www.mountgayrum.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/MountGayRumUS/