Gosling's Black Seal

Category: Dark
Country: Bermuda
Aged: 3-6 years
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof) - also available overproof
Availability: Almost Everywhere
Price: $16-$18 (750 mL)

Appearance (0-5): 4
Aroma (0-25): 21
Taste (0-35): 25
Smoothness (0-10): 7
Body (0-5): 5
Overall Quality (0-20): 16
Machete Rating (0-100): 78

Notes: Have you ever chewed rum? If not, you've likely never tried Gosling's Black Seal. In the bottle, the liquid looks black as night, but poured it's more of a deep brown with red amber hue. On the nose there are tones of molasses, herbs, and bourbon. I love the aroma of Black Seal; it's subdued, creamy, and pleasant, particularly when compared side by side with the other black rum I reviewed recently, Bacardi Select. It's thickly textured and can be rolled around the tongue with slick, sticky viscocity. Classic rum tastes of caramel, sugarcane, charred oak, and vanilla. By itself it's bitter with a warm, medium bite and a bittersweet aftertaste. It can be enjoyed on the rocks, though I prefer it mixed with coke or pineapple juice or as a floater in a tropical drink. Above all, it's not a real Dark 'n' Stormy if it's not Gosling's Black Seal and Barritt's Ginger Beer - a creamy and delicious cocktail (though Bundaberg's ginger beer makes a great substitute for those who have a hard time finding Barritt's). It's also perfect in a Hurricane. Gosling's Black Seal is a versatile, quality rum at an accessible price worth keeping an eye out for as its archetypal yet unique rum qualities make it a favorite of many.

Reviewed: May 2007

Website: http://www.goslingsrum.com/