The Gosling Family Sees "The Light"

For years, the word "Gosling" has been analogous with near-black rums that are rich in flavor and heavenly in a "Dark 'n' Stormy." For more information about Gosling's Black Seal rum, I strongly recommend fellow Epinions member nchoward's review - an excellent write-up.

However my imbibing friends, lend me your ears for I come not to praise Black Seal but to enlighten on you all on Gosling's Gold rum - the family's first foray into "lighter rums."

A short history: The Gosling family has been making rum for about 200 years and importing it for about 150 years. It is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Again I point to nchoward's review for more historical detail - why redo a top notch effort?

Introduced in the spring of 2004, Gosling's Gold is meant to compete with the Mount Gay-like lighter but NOT white rums of the world. Gosling's Gold is not to be compared with Ronrico or even Bacardi white. Could you mix with it? Sure. I think you MIGHT be able to notice its quality in a Rum Swizzle (not a fave of mine); personal experience can tell you that with Barritt's Ginger Beer - it makes a drink that lacks the subtle complexities of a Dark 'n' Stormy but is so smooth and delicious, it can easily get you in trouble. Shots? I'm told it goes down easy, but I can't bring myself to drink this elixir any way but sipping it straight or on the rocks (which brings out an ALMOST Highland, single-malt scotch-like quality...the sugar taste is definitely quelled).

The nose: Caramel and maple all the way with a hint of apple. No trace of alcohol or spice in the scent. Kind of makes you want pancakes...and I despite pancakes.

The appearance: Truly golden amber. The bottle has the picture of the Mercury on it - a prominent ship in Gosling's history.

The viscosity: Not thick at all, much like water. Would it get thicker in the freezer? Probably, but who puts anything but vodka, Jager, and peppermint schnapps in the freezer?

The taste: My favorite part, of course. As it hits your lips and first enters your mouth, you'll notice a sugary sensation exactly like turbinado (raw) sugar. Give it a few seconds and you'll notice vanilla, a bit of caramel, with just a hint of lemon zest. If it were thicker, I MIGHT even say creme brulee-like, but this is a light-bodied rum. The finish is a touch spicy; definitely not alcohol burn but ginger-like with a touch of nutmeg. It goes down easy with a tiny kick.

Availability (update October 25, 2005): Originally, I had obtained my bottle from a friend visiting Bermuda. Now I've seen it all long the East Coast anywhere is Gosling's Black Seal is available. Check www.goslingsrum.com and you find the Gold Rum described in detail. Maybe Gosling's read this epinion and followed my advice to market the product better. Nevertheless, grab a bottle and please challenge my findings!

Price: It will be about $16-18 per 750 ml. I don't know if 1 liter or 1.5 liter bottles exist but at least I can find the 750 ml one much easier now.

Rating: I have had a good amount of rum in my 34 years. I love Mount Gay in daiquiris (a dear friend likes it with tonic), I can ACCEPT Captain Morgan with ginger ale (please never confuse ginger ale with ginger beer), I found Captain Morgan's Private Stock to be overpriced for the overall experience and I am not a fan of any Bacardi product I've tried (most but not all yet). Overall, Cruzan has a very good line of products. Gosling's Gold is an excellent gold rum with an uncanny mix of smoothness that does not ignore a spicy bite at the end (hey, this is a Caribbean product, remember?). I think this comes from the unique blends of amber rums used to make Gosling's Gold. I compare this with another rum I favor Appleton Rum V/X and I think Gosling's Gold is a better product - it's a work of deceiving complexity. It's great in a fine sniffer on a chilly, damp night. It gets my top rating: 5 out of 5 stars.