Goslings Family Reserve Old Rye Barrel Rum (750ml)

Launched in 2024, this is reportedly extra-aged Goslings blended from column and pot still selections, the twist being a finishing for at least three years in U.S. rye whiskey barrels. With ex-bourbon ageing for the first 16-19 years this is seriously old rum, so leave it out of your next 'Dark and Stormy'. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... So, what’s it like? Well, all in all, not bad. The extra ageing makes itself felt on the nose with some light sweetness, nougat, almonds, unsweetened chocolate and coffee grounds, with a nice touch of dried prunes and raisins. There’s a vague mint and briny note here that’s probably the rye cask influence, plus vanilla and caramel and even an overripe apple or two to mix things up....It’s as warm and and easy on the palate as the nose – there is no aggressiveness here. That’s both a good and a bad thing, depending on your preferences, but I will say it’s really pleasant. The tastes hearken to light citrus (tangerines, ruby grapefruit), with additional notes of bubble gum, black pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, toffee, honey, oak, wet coffee grounds. The finish is consistent with the Original FR edition, which is to say, nothing special, repeating all the notes we’ve already seen on the nose and the palate – dried fruits, honey, pepper, slight citrus, vanilla and some sweet. - thelonecaner.com

...The unusual dimension to the spiciness here does make the bottle stand out, though I expect it could probably use more proof in order to feel more vivacious than the 40% ABV we’re getting here. All in all, though, the rye barrels are delivering a unique experience unlike what you’re typically going to run into in a standard bottle of moderately aged column still rum from the Caribbean. If the floral/spice dimension–and relative dryness–is intriguing to you, then this will be one to seek out. - pastemagazine.com

A family business for over two centuries, Gosling's was founded in 1806 by James Gosling and is Bermuda's oldest business house and largest exporter of locally made product. Originally called 'Old Rum', the company's flagship 'Black Seal Rum' was not sold by the bottle until after World War One, when it was packaged in Champagne bottles (the most widely available bottle at the time) and sealed with black wax, hence the name which has stuck.