| The history of Black Seal Rum and the Gosling family began in Bermuda in 1806. After a desperate ninety-one day journey across the Atlantic from England, the Mercury (pictured on the present cover) arrived in Bermuda. Over 200 years later, Gosling’s is still at the forefront of creating one of the world’s greatest rums. Please tell our readers how you make your rum today? |
| Since the mid 1800’s, Gosling’s Black Seal Rum has been created using a blend of unique rums (each distilled from molasses). This secret and closely guarded family recipe requires each rum distillate used in the blend to first be aged in American Oak barrels. The length of the aging is dependent upon the method of distillation used for each component of the blend. The barrels, charred on the inside, contribute to the color and to the mellowing of the rums as it ages. The resulting product earned Black Seal Rum the rare Platinum Medal at The World Spirits Championships. |
| Black Seal is the integral ingredient in Bermuda’s favorite cocktail, the Dark ‘n Stormy. Please elaborate on how this cocktail came to be and why? |
In the late 1920’s the British Officers Mess had a ginger beer factory in Dockyard and chose Gosling’s Old Rum (as it was named at the time – now known as Black Seal) for added flavor and effect. After the Mess stopped making their own ginger beer, the Dark ‘n Stormy became forgotten by all but a few. However, in the late sixties the drink made a significant resurgence again using Gosling’s (Black Seal) and Bermuda ginger beer. The refinement of both products over the years made this drink appealing to most that tried it – locals and visitors alike. Exclusive to Bermuda, our island paradise had a cocktail to call its own – a “national” drink.
Today, the trademarked cocktail is being promoted by Bermuda’s oldest company in several international markets. The preservation of the trademark has been instrumental to keeping this wonderful cocktail synonymous with Bermuda. There is great pride taken in that every Dark ‘n Stormy served overseas promotes the quality taste of Bermuda. |
| Gosling’s Family Reserve Old Rum is a special Bermuda blend crafted in a similar way to the renowned Black Seal Rum. Please tell This Week what the differences are between the two rums? |
| The blend that makes Gosling’s Family Reserve Old Rum is extremely similar to that of Black Seal Rum but long aged in premium, once used, bourbon barrels. While Black Seal is wonderfully versatile in that it enhances any mixer or culinary recipe, our limited Family Reserve Old Rum is best enjoyed served neat in a brandy snifter. Offering elegance and flavour that surpasses many well known XO Cognacs, this exquisite rum is a perfect pair with a fine cigar and/or a quality piece of dark chocolate. |
