My love of Gosling’s Black Seal is apparent as it was my first review and first dip into the world of quality rums. I was overjoyed to read that Gosling’s were releasing their own brand of Ginger Beer to accompany one of my favourite rums in one of my favourite drinks, the Dark ‘n Stormy.
The press release reads:
For 206 years, Gosling’s Black Seal Rum has been searching for the perfect mate, often paired with ginger beer that’s too sweet or too spicy. So Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer was developed with one thing in mind, to be the ideal partner to Black Seal Rum and make the most harmonious Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail you’ll ever drink. Gosling’s Stormy Ginger Beer, its official name, took well over a year to formulate and perfect.
“We needed to hit the perfect balance between sweetness and spiciness,” explained Malcolm Gosling, 7th generation President of the renowned rum maker, Gosling’s Export (Bermuda) Limited. “Our objective was to create a ginger beer that, when paired with our award-winning Black Seal Rum, would produce the absolute perfect Dark ‘n Stormy.”
My main issue with Ginger Beer as a mixer is that, as the press release states, it is either ridiculously fiery and therefore completely dominates the drink or way too sweet which when paired with rum becomes a glass of sweetness and nothing else. I finally managed to obtain half a dozen from Corks Out and immediately set to work mixing my drink.
The ginger beer itself has a nice golden straw colour and the first thing that you notice is that is not massively carbonated (which I personally consider to be a good thing). The smell of ginger is also apparent but not overly so. On its own it tastes amazing which bodes well! Tasting it shows the perfect sweet/fire balance. Neither element dominates and the reduced fizz makes it very easy to drink. If you can drink both elements neat and find them enjoyable then it should be a sure-fire winner.
Mixing it into a Dark ‘n Stormy really shows how much effort has gone into its production. The best parts of each component shine through. The rich butterscotch and caramel of the Black Seal and the heat and slight sweetness of the ginger beer. An unbelievably simple but unbelievably tasty drink and if you have yet to try a Dark ‘n Stormy, then you now have the ideal way to try it!
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