Malcolm Gosling Jr. On The Long-Term Success Of Goslings Rum & Being A Family-Owned Company

Founded in 1806, Goslings has been blending award-winning rums for 214 years, including its distinctive Black Seal Rum. The family-owned Goslings also not only happens to be Bermuda’s largest still-active exporter, yet also the country’s oldest business house. It is regularly a marquee sponsor at top international destinations, the U.S.’s #1 producer of ginger beer, and is notably where the world-famous Dark ‘N Stormy cocktail — the National Drink of Bermuda — originated from.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Malcolm Gosling Jr. about the past, present and future of his family’s company. More on Gosling Jr., his family and their excellent rums can be found online by visiting Goslings at www.goslingsrum.com and/or www.instagram.com/goslingsrum.

When in your life did you know that you were going into the family trade?

Malcolm Gosling Jr.: From the moment I was born! I was fortunate to grow up during a very exciting time for Goslings Rum. Even though Goslings was founded in 1806, you could only find it in Bermuda until my father started Goslings Export in the 1990s. It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and dedication my father had in creating this local Bermudian product into a global brand. I started working in the warehouse in Bermuda over school breaks starting from when I was 14 and slowly worked my way up in different departments from the bottling facility, to our retail store, to assisting our Brand Director, Andrew Holmes, with tastings and events. I am now based in New York City, solely focused on the export side of the business.

You are an eighth-generation rum producer. Has rum always been your spirit of choice?

Malcolm Gosling Jr.: Always! Goslings is truly a part of the culture in Bermuda so it’s natural that nearly every Bermudian’s first drink is a Dark ‘N Stormy — Goslings Black Seal Rum and Ginger Beer. Goslings Rum is extremely versatile which makes it easy to enjoy on a regular basis. Our flagship, Goslings Black Seal Rum, can be enjoyed in our trademarked Dark ‘N Stormy, a Rum Spritz with club soda and lime juice, or in a Manhattan. Our sipping rum, Goslings Family Reserve Old Rum, is a 16 to 20-year-old rum aged in once-used bourbon barrels that is perfect for sipping neat or with a cube of ice.

To you, what makes Goslings a better rum than others on the market?

Malcolm Gosling Jr.: We take a lot of pride in the rums we produce at Goslings; we have been blending and aging rum in the same place using 200-year-old methods that we don’t plan on changing any time soon! Every rum we produce is aged in once-used bourbon barrels in Bermuda. Bermuda has a unique climate, it rarely gets below 60 degrees or above 90 degrees, which is perfect for aging our rums. Bermuda is also a small island, 21 square miles and a mile at its widest point, which allows sea salt air to constantly interact with our aging barrels.

Goslings is famous for the Dark ‘N Stormy. But which foods do you find Goslings to pair especially well with?

Malcolm Gosling Jr.: I may be biased, however, I think Goslings Black Seal Rum makes the absolute best rum cake. We also make Goslings Black Seal 151 Proof Rum, which is perfect for Bananas Foster. Finally, anything BBQ! One of my favorite spots in New York City is Pig Beach in Brooklyn, where they have both a regular Dark ‘N Stormy and a frozen Dark ‘N Stormy on the menu. For National Rum Day last year Chef Shane McBride made Peach & Rum Glazed Pork Chops and Chocolate Pecan Rum Pie, it was delicious!

What is coming up for Goslings in 2020?

Malcolm Gosling Jr.: We will be releasing the second batch of our Papa Seal Single Barrel Rum, which was just awarded “The Best Aged Rum in the World” by The Rum Journal. That will be released at the end of 2020. We will also be expanding our line of Goslings Stormy Ginger Beer with some exciting new flavors. Also, this year is the 40th Anniversary of Goslings holding the trademark on the Dark ‘N Stormy, so on June 9th, 2020 it will be Dark ‘N Stormy Day. Check out our website for more info and your chance to win a trip to Bermuda.

When not busy with Goslings, where does your free time usually go?

Malcolm Gosling Jr.: I’m on the road constantly, so when I am back in New York City I like to check out any new bars or restaurants that have opened. When back in Bermuda I am either on the golf course, on a boat, or the beach with friends and family.

What was the last concert you attended for fun?

Malcolm Gosling Jr.: I recently went to see an up and coming reggae artist Koffee at the Gramercy Theater in New York. She had amazing energy throughout the show and put on a great performance.

Finally, Malcolm, any last words for the kids?

Malcolm Gosling Jr.: Follow along this family adventure via @goslingsrum on Instagram and @theblackseal on Twitter.

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Tags: Bermuda, Dark 'N Stormy, Family Businesses, Gosling's Rum, Malcolm Gosling Jr., Spirits

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."