Bermuda, Refined

Goslings Black Seal built its reputation on depth - molasses-rich, brooding, almost opaque with flavour. But Gold Seal plays a different role entirely. It doesn't chase darkness or lean into theatricality. This is the lighter touch. The quieter conversation. A golden rum that's comfortable in its own skin - not because it lacks depth, but because it doesn't need to prove it.

Gold Seal is made in Bermuda, just like its darker sibling, and it shows the same Goslings hallmarks: no sweeteners, no flavouring, no shortcuts. The blend comes from both pot and continuous stills - a careful balancing act between character and clarity - and it's aged for around five years in used American oak. That time matters. It doesn't chase exaggerated oakiness or tropical volatility. Instead, it settles into itself.

In the glass, it gives you soft grain and vanilla on the nose first - familiar, but never basic. Toasted coconut, banana skin, and orange zest come through next. There's a subtle warmth to it - like buttered toast left just a second too long - along with a hint of sun-dried citrus peel. It's approachable, but not bland. Just controlled.

The palate keeps things calm. It's silky - not thick, not oily - and it opens with butterscotch and honey, then pivots toward light spice, cinnamon, and clove. The oak is there, but it behaves. It's not dry or tannic - more of a framework than a flavour. As it moves, the tropical notes reappear - golden mango, underripe pineapple - not sweet, just suggested. The finish lingers in the middle of the tongue. Gentle, slightly bitter, with echoes of citrus and wood.

This isn't a rum built for spectacle. It's for clarity, for consistency. The kind of pour you want when you're building something subtle - a Daiquiri that trades punch for poise, a highball that stays clean and crisp all the way down. It's one of the few golden rums that feels equally at home in a cocktail or over ice. Not flashy - just well made.

It's also remarkably dry. That's worth saying outright. If your idea of gold rum is sweet, vanilla-heavy syrup with a tan, this will reset the dial. There's no cover-up here. Just a well-distilled spirit, aged properly, and bottled without interference.

Goslings Gold Seal doesn't compete for your attention. It waits for you to come around. And when you do, you realise how rare this style is: unadorned, versatile, and grown-up - without losing the easy warmth that makes rum what it is.

For whisky drinkers looking to understand lighter rum, this is where to start. For cocktail builders tired of cloying supermarket golds, it's a gift. And for anyone looking for elegance over impact - here it is. Quietly one of the best in its class.