Gosling's Black Seal

Not worth the price. Seems people have rated this higher purely based on the dark and stormy drink but the rum itself honestly is lacking.

I'll be honest; I didn't check any RumRatings reviews before buying this but instead picked it up in honour of my pal Mike who lives in Bermuda and reckons he's got through dozens of bottles of it. Well, I think Mike's perspective may be a bit skewed because I was kinda disappointed. I found the Gosling's Black Seal had very little of the kinda flavour I expect from rum, but with a very mild sweetness and plenty of spice. It's a nice dark colour, but sadly that's no indication of what's to come. It completely disappears in Coke; I honestly couldn't taste it at all but I dunno, maybe that's a good feature for when you're making a cocktail. I also noticed that the neat product became more 'chemical' (couldn't think of a better descriptor) toward the end of the bottle and I'm not sure why that should happen. I will say that a small blob of molasses really helped this rum but, there again, why should I have to add anything? 4/10, probably wouldn't buy it again but I'll happily agree with all the reviewers who've said it makes a great cocktail.

there is no dark n stormy without this black seal ...

From time to time I come across a rum that is not that easy to rate. This is one of those times. It is like a hybrid liquor and rum for me. Great mahgony color. Aroma bit of banana, and coffee for me. Taste the same with added spice and alcohol burn though. Will not use as a sipper though after today as just something not right. Hard to say though exactly what it is. Final note, that under $20 certainly not feeling ripped off but not feeling that found the best value rum on the market.

The overwhelming black liquorice flavour makes it a worthwhile experience and might be interesting mixed but as a sipper it is a one time experience.

It’s the standard for many drinks calling for black rum and does fine as a baseline, but nothing special here.

Good for mixing only, not a great rum. Not expensive though, especially if you buy it in Bermuda.

Thus will do with coke and lemon if no nice rum available

Tasted at Laka Lono on 10/17/21. Pours a dark brown color. Aroma of brown sugar and synthetic caramel coloring. Slightly roasted with just a hint of mint (?). A dessicating finish. Whaler's Black is far better.

I got a bottle cheap on a whim and I really enjoyed it. Drinking it neat, Black Seal has an excellent flavor with a lot going on - fruits, nuts, spice - like a fruit cake. It's relatively smooth but with just enough burn. Not "alcohol-y" at all, and not overly sweet. Description is "well balanced" and I definitely agree with that. For an inexpensive dark rum, this is one of my favorites.