Gosling's Black Seal is the rum that invented the Dark and Stormy — quite literally, as the cocktail's name is trademarked by Gosling Brothers. This Bermudian dark rum has been produced by the Gosling family since the 1860s, and it remains one of the most distinctive and characterful dark rums available anywhere in the world.
The production involves a blend of pot and column still rums aged in charred American oak barrels for three to six years. The resulting spirit is dark, dense, and deeply flavoured — a rum that announces itself the moment it hits the glass.
On the nose, expect deep, brooding aromas of molasses, dark chocolate, espresso, burnt caramel, and dried fruit. The palate is rich and full with treacle, dark fruit, espresso bitterness, brown sugar, and a chewy mouthfeel that makes it immensely satisfying. The finish is long and warming with lingering molasses and espresso.
The Dark and Stormy is the obvious serve — Gosling's over ice, topped with ginger beer and a squeeze of lime. But this rum also makes a superb Rum Old Fashioned and is excellent in baking. At £24.00, it is outstanding value for a rum of this character.
