Gosling's Family Reserve Old Rum Judged Best Aged Rum

BOSTON, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Caribbean Journal just concluded an exhaustive, 12-month competition to name their "Rum of The Year."  They tasted 50 rums from the U.S., the Caribbean, Central and South America before narrowing the field to three and then to "one clear winner."

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130124/NE47572 )

They summed it up this way: The winner was a classic, one that has been with us since time immemorial (at least it seems that way): Bermuda's Gosling's Old Rum. Bottled in a champagne bottle, the same way sailors used to drink Gosling's in the Bermuda of yore, sealed with wax, Old Rum continues to be the standard for aged rum. It is the most complete rum in the world — flavourful, balanced, complex, sweet but not too sweet. And it's our 2012 Rum of the Year.

Malcolm Gosling, the seventh generation of the Gosling's family, was ecstatic though not entirely surprised: "We've known all along what a rare, unique product our Family Reserve Old Rum is. A closely guarded secret recipe that is a unique blend of rum distillates aged in once used oak bourbon barrels until it acquires an extra luscious, nuanced complexity. The Old Rum is a sublime sipping rum, a superior sipping spirit."

Gosling's carefully hand label each bottle, dip it in wax, number it, encircle it with a metal band, then place it in a straw-filled wooden box reminiscent of days past. Appropriate packaging for what is judged as the ultimate sipping rum.

And while you're at it, try the family's flagship Gosling's Black Seal Rum. Black Seal is the younger brother of Old Rum and a winner of the prestigious Platinum Award (the Beverage Tasting Institute's highest honor). Black Seal has a distinct, versatile character all its own. The taste is rich and intricate, nuanced with butterscotch, vanilla and caramel.

As the Caribbean Journal noted, "Rum is in the midst of a boom--there are more aged rum options available to the enthusiast than at any time in recent memory." True enough. But when the category is aged rum, there is apparently something to be said for not what's new, but what's old.

Gosling's Brothers Ltd. Is Bermuda's oldest business house. In 1806, Englishman William Gosling, sent his son James to sea, bound for Virginia with 10,000 pounds Sterling worth of wines and spirits. After ninety days on becalmed seas the charter on the good ship, Mercury, ran out and James was diverted to Bermuda, where James decided to open a wine and spirits shop. Since 2004, seventh generation, E. Malcolm B. Gosling has been spearheading a major American expansion of the brand. Gosling's offers three distinctive, award-winning products in its line: the flagship brand, Gosling's Bermuda Black Seal Rum; a new Gosling's Gold Bermuda Rum; and the ultra special Family Reserve Old Rum. Gosling's also markets a popular Gosling's Stormy Ginger Beer in both regular and diet. And offers a Ready-To-Drink Dark 'n Stormy® cocktail in a can. Dark 'n Stormy ® is a registered trademark of Gosling's Export (Bermuda) Limited, Hamilton, Bermuda.

Information about U.S. distribution and wholesalers please contact Castle Brands, telephone: 646.356.0200.

SOURCE Gosling's Brothers Ltd.