Goslings Black Seal Rum

Posted on June 4, 2021May 19, 2021 by Nick

Other than Beefeater Gin, I can’t think of a bottle we have consumed so many of as Goslings Black Seal Rum. Rum purists will argue this rum is dosed (has added sugar), but who gives a damn. You’re not drinking it straight, you’re putting this bad boy in all sorts of Tiki inspired drinks, and you should enjoy it. Plus, it’s cheap, and widely available.

Goslings Black Seal Rum

Sight: A deep cola brown.

Smell: Cola and orange zest leap out, followed by molasses, brown sugar, hints of cherry, and a slightly herbal/medicinal note. Light touches of rum ester join along with a bit of alcohol and caramel.

Sip: The same notes of cola, brown sugar, orange zest, spice, and touches of cherry join in on the palate. The mouthfeel is slightly thick, but very smooth (most likely due to the dosage). It’s a touch sweet, almost noticeably so with a hint of candied sugar.

Savor: The ending carries out more molasses, brown sugar, citrus zest notes. It’s a muddled finish, with a slight burn and drying character.

Goslings Black Seal Rum is unapologetic about being a brown sugar bomb with some fruity flavors. There’s nothing refined going on in the palate, it’s a straightforward smash and grab of flavors. Truth be told, while I could sip it straight, I think I’d get bored and overwhelmed by it’s ‘look at me’ character. That same character makes it a show stopper in Tiki drinks.

In Cocktails

Goslings Black Seal Rum stands up to even the strongest flavors, and unleashes a bombastic hit of brown sugar, molasses, and spice back in return. This results in a warm, inviting flavor profile that syncs well with both tropical flavors and dessert like sweetness. In a Cuba Libre, it takes the cola and lime to another level, adding a caramelized character to the overall flavor profile. A classic Grog also shows off the molasses and spice notes well.

It’s versatile for making your own creations too. In our Lump of Coal, it provides the brown sugar background notes to help carry the linkage between coconut milk stout and other rum funks present.

Christmas Cocktails 2019 - A Lump of Coal — A Lump of Coal

Goslings Black Seal Rum In Review

As you can probably tell, we love Goslings Black Seal Rum. At $17 for a bottle, we recommend you get one to try, specifically in a Dark & Stormy, Smuggler’s Cove’s Piñata, and in a Cuba Libre. If you find you like it, it’s cheap to keep around, and extremely versatile.

Christmas Cocktails 2019 – A Lump of Coal

Posted on December 17, 2019December 18, 2019 by Nick

Perhaps you’ve been a bit naughty this year, or know someone who is. There’s nothing more fitting for your naughty friend or self than a drink. To celebrate, we’ve crafted A Lump of Coal to delight you and your guests.

Christmas Cocktails 2019 – A Lump of Coal

A Lump of Coal

1 oz

Gosling’s Black Seal Rum

0.5 oz

Plantation Original Dark Rum

0.5 oz

Kraken Black Spiced Rum

0.1 oz

Kahlua

0.1 oz

Kalani Coconut Liqueur

0.25 oz

Rich Demerara Simple

8 oz

Chocolate Coconut Milk Stout

Combine all ingredients except beer a mixing vessel. Add ice and stir. Double strain into a double rocks glass or stemless wine glass containing a large ice cube or sphere. Add beer and serve. No garnish.

Deep, dark, and deceptively boozy, A Lump of Coal is a blast of sweet coconut and chocolate. The tropical notes of the various rums add a complex brown sugar note and the kahlua and coconut liqueurs function as flavor boosts for the stout. No need to stay off the naughty list with this delightfully delicious drink.

Drink Notes

Rums: Gosling’s is the most important here – but don’t underestimate the complexity that Plantation and Kraken bring. If you only have two of the three – try to keep the Plantation / Gosling’s in the forefront (1.25 / 0.75).
Kalani Coconut Liqueur – If you don’t have Kalani – try substituting Malibu.
Rich Demerara Simple – Combine 8 oz of Demerara sugar with 4 oz of water in a sauce pan over medium heat. Heat until combined, but not boiling. Remove from heat, allow to cool. If desired, add 0.25 oz of everclear. Store in the refrigerator.
Chocolate Coconut Milk Stout – For this – I used The Brew Kettle’s Kitka, however any chocolate coconut milk stout you happen to enjoy should work well here. Depending on sweetness, adjust the Demerara accordingly.

About The Name – A Lump of Coal

Everyone knows that if you’ve received coal for Christmas – you’ve been a bad boy or girl. We’ve ingrained it into popular culture to the point that we suggest it for people on Twitter with hashtags like #coalforChristmas. Perhaps the only person that would be truly grateful for it is frosty – who can finally see. Yet as I dug into an explanation of how coal got it’s reputation, it became apparent perhaps it wasn’t always a bad thing.

Way back when, before the 20th century (time period, not the cocktail), coal was actually a greatly appreciated gift. This was in part because it was cold, but also due to the scarcity in coal making it a valuable commodity. It wasn’t until coal became widely available that it was seen as something to punish bad children with.

With that said – this lump of coal should leave your guests with a delighted smile. To learn more about the history of coal, check out this in-depth dive from The Atlantic.