For more than 200 years, the Gosling family has been producing world-class rum in Bermuda. Eighth generation family member, Emily Gosling is its global brand ambassador and writes for Australian Bartender about what it means to be part of a living legacy.
If you have ever raised a Dark ’n Stormy to your lips and felt the snap of ginger meet the depth of aged rum, you’ve already tested my family’s story.
My name is Emily Gosling, and I represent the eighth generation of a family that’s been blending, aging, and obsessing over rum since 1806. Goslings is not just the oldest company in Bermuda – it’s part of the island’s soul. For over two centuries, we have poured our hearts into making world-class rum, never straying from our roots while embracing what the future brings.
Black Seal Rum is our signature expression. It’s the one that tells our story best. Originally sold out of a barrel on Front Street in Bermuda, it earned its name from the black sealing wax we used to hand-dip every bottle. Today, it’s still blended according to the same closely guarded family recipe – deep, full-bodied, with notes of caramel, spice and just a whisper of smoke. A bartender once told me it’s like “liquid Bermuda in a glass” and honestly, I couldn’t agree more.
What makes it so iconic is its versatility. Sure, it’s the backbone of the Dark ’n Stormy – our trademark cocktail and Bermuda’s unofficial national drink – but it’s just as brilliant sipped neat or used to elevate an Old Fashioned. I love mine simply over ice with a splash of soda and lime.
As global brand ambassador, my role is to share our rum and our legacy with the world – but more importantly, I want to connect with the people who are building bar culture every day. That’s why I work closely with hospitality professionals to bring Bermuda’s warmth to life through staff trainings, masterclasses, and events. If your team wants to learn the nuances of aging and blending, or how to craft the perfect Dark ’n Stormy, I’d be honoured to join you. Whether it’s a casual tasting or an immersive rum dinner, I believe the best education is done with a glass in hand.
Bermuda is a place of contrasts – lush and wild, refined yet laid-back. Goslings is the same. We have weathered Prohibition, global wars, and the rise of spirits trends, but one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to quality and community. As tastes evolve, we continue to innovate – just recently we launched a limited aged expression and are experimenting with new finishes – but Black Seal remains our heartbeat. It’s a rum that speaks to tradition but never stops moving.
Today, it’s still blended according to the same closely guarded family recipe – deep, full-bodied, with notes of caramel, spice and just a whisper of smoke.
For me, it’s more than rum. It’s about heritage, storytelling, and that moment of connection between bartender and guest. Every time I see someone discover Black Seal for the first time – especially in a place far from Bermuda – I’m reminded why we do this. Because great rum doesn’t just taste good. It makes you feel something.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you behind a bar or across a table soon.
Dark ’n Stormy
60ml Goslings Black Seal Rum
100ml Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer
Lime edge (optional)
Fill a tall glass with ice and add ginger beer
Float Goslings Black Seal Rum on top
Garnish with lime