Goslings History of Rum: Black Seal Rum®

Описание: Malcolm Gosling shares 7 generations of rum making History
The history of Black Seal Rum® and the Gosling family began long ago. In the spring of 1806 James Gosling, the oldest son of William Gosling, wine and spirits merchant, set out from England on the ship, Mercury, with £10,000 of merchandise, bound for America.


After ninety-one desperate days on a becalmed sea their charter ran out, and they put in at the nearest port, St. George's, Bermuda. Rather than pressing on for America, James opened a shop on the King's Parade, St. George's in December 1806.

In 1824 James returned to England and his brother Ambrose rented a shop on Front Street in the new Capitol of Hamilton for £25 a year. The Gosling's have maintained a store at this location for 127 years.In 1857 the firm was renamed Gosling Brothers by Ambrose's sons. Three years later the first oak barrels of rum distillate arrived in Bermuda. Three years later, after much trial and error, the distinctive Bermuda black rum destined to be Black Seal was formulated and offered for sale. They didn't call it Black Seal at first. In fact, up until the First World War it was only sold from the barrel, and most folks brought in their own bottles for a "fill up". Eventually the black rum was sold in champagne bottles, reclaimed from the British Officer's Mess, and the corks sealed with black sealing wax.

Pretty soon people began to ask for the "Black Seal". Many years later the idea of the little, barrel juggling "Black Seal" was born.

Over the years Black Seal has become synonymous with Bermuda. It is the essential additive to Bermuda fish chowder, adds the island touch to Bermuda Rum Swizzle, and is the tempest in Bermuda's favorite cocktail -- the Dark 'n Stormy®.

A family business for over two centuries Gosling's is today the only company that blends and bottles in Bermuda, and is the largest exporter of a Bermuda made product.

Ah, genetics. Besides certain physical characteristics, men of the Gosling family have also passed along strong personality traits. Most noticeably, bullheadedness. With a world begging for more of their rare Bermuda rums, they have obstinately refused to accelerate the secret family process in the interest of mere volume. Which is why you'll find this the most complex, refined family of rums you have ever sipped.Presuming, that is, you can find it.

As one of the members of the seventh generation to steer the Bermudian family business since its 1806 inception, Nancy Lloyd Gosling is President and C.E.O. of Gosling Brothers Limited and Gosling's Limited. Nancy is the innovator and driving force behind the company's local expansion in the wine, beer and spirits business. Before her appointment as the company's first female President and C.E.O., Nancy received a Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University and later a C.G.A. title. Nancy is the mother of two children.

Charles Richard Gosling is Vice President and Managing Director of Gosling Brothers Limited and Gosling's Limited. Grandson of Ambrose Tucker Gosling, Charles is responsible for the company's local marketing initiative and Bermuda Duty Free Limited, a subsidiary of Gosling Brothers Limited that includes the island's two duty free stores located at Bermuda International Airport.

Receiving a Bachelor degree from Dalhousie University, Charles went on to become another member of the seventh generation to enter the family business. Amongst his life achievements is his Presidency of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce for four consecutive years, a length of office only shared by one other in the 100 years of the Chamber. Charles is married with two children.

A third member of the seventh generation, Edmund Malcolm Gosling has been appointed to manage the development and export of Gosling's Rums. As President of Gosling's Export (Bermuda) Limited and Vice President and Managing Director of Gosling Brothers Limited and Gosling's Limited, he brings an abiding respect for the brand heritage to the table, but he also brings a contemporary sense of marketing and business acumen.

Malcolm attended Boston College and earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics, then returned to join the family business. Almost immediately he realized the considerable export potential of the locally popular Gosling's Black Seal Rum. In 1985 he became Director of Gosling Brothers Limited where he oversaw domestic product and sales operations while also mapping a strategy for eventual entry into overseas markets.