Gosling's Black Seal

I recently started to stock rums for tiki cocktails. While I need a dark Jamaican, I also wanted to try a dark & stormy that was authentic. Since I already had Whaler's, I wasn't going to buy two more dark rums.

This smells of hickory smoke and tastes bitter and, well, that's it. The bitterness and sharp heat covers up anything else I could possibly taste.

Ginger beer is spicy and ridiculously sweet so the bitterness is a good counter point I suppose.
Unfortunately, both are hot in different ways making me feel like there is no reason to ever try this or a dark n stormy again.

Edit: So trying this in other drinks that required a dark rum and I've changed my mind and upgraded my rating. The rich dark character really helps an overly sweet drink and makes it comforting.

Tmavý rum s barvou dočervena. Zastřená, kouřová vůně dřeva.
Chuť karamel, doutník.

Spicy flavour but not particularly memorable. Probably best as a mix

Purchased a bottle of Goslings Black Seal (£23) after reading an article about the brand and checking the reviews on here.

Poured a bit over ice to sample and I must say I'm pleasantly surprised on its sippability. Nose is nutty, caramel, and slightly fruity. It's remarkably smooth and not overly sweetened, for its price and bottling although is a little ethanol burn which is expected.

The article I read was all about making the perfect dark'n'stormy and that this rum was the perfect pairing partner for ginger ale (it did recommend goslings ginger beer but it's difficult to get hold of here).

I do find it nicer to sip than to mix with ginger beer, and find it's better to mix with cola.

(EDIT: after moving through the bottle and trying with various mixers I find this is a good cola mixing rum am yet to find a ginger ale fiery enough to pair with it. Although smooth over ice I find it a little harsh on the throat clean in the glass with time to breath. Over ice it's an ok sipper without it is not. As a result I've had to bring it down to a 6 would have been a 5 but at £23 it makes a good rum and coke)

Rich ruby red colour. Thick molasses flavour. Sharp on back of tongue.

Quite a dark rum but not as strong as it looks. A great mixer, & very easy to drink, but is on the sweeter side of things with a dryness at the end. The only problem I have with this rum is the $70 price tag. If it was $40 I'd be back for more.

Nothing I prefer as avec or for zipping, but perfect for my favourite rumdrink “Dark ‘N’ Stormy”.
Picture: My drink rum shelf

Good quality dark rum. Popular for dark and stormy’s.

To sweet for drink as sipper, but for mixing its best choice

This is a decent dark rum, but there is nothing outstanding about it... good with coke