Mount Gay Welcomes New Master Blender Trudiann Branker

Trediann Branker Master Blender

The Barbados rum Mount Gay has announced a new master blender, who represents a first for the company.  The 300-year-old rum brand has appointed Trudiann Branker, who steps into the role after a five-year apprenticeship with outgoing master blender Allen Smith.  Trudiann Branker will be responsible for overseeing hundreds of casks of ageing rum and hand-picking each one that goes into every blend.

     The new master blender graduated from The Siebel Institute, the Institute of Brewing and Distilling and has more than 11 years’ experience working in the spirits industry.   She joined Mount Gay in 2014 as a quality assurance manager and has followed the same path as former master blender Allen Smith.   Smith, who boasts more than 25 years’ working at Mount Gay, has held the position of master blender since 2005.    He was responsible for bringing blends such as Mount Gay XO and Mount Gay 1703 to market.