Gosling's Black Seal
Bermuda
Caribbean rums are aged in re-charred ex-bourbon barrels and blended in Bermuda, with some molasses added for colour consistency. The Swedish monopoly measured 10g of sugar per litre. Bottled at 40%, with a 151 proof overproof version sold separately.
- Aging
- Blend of 3 to 6 year old rums, re-charred ex-bourbon barrels
- Congeners
- Moderate
- Histamines
- Low
- Polyphenols
- Low
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- Moderate
- Sugar
- Moderate
- Additives
- Moderate
- Calories
- 100
- Sugar
- 0.4g
14g ethanol at 40% ABV. 98 from alcohol, 2 from carbohydrate.
In its favor
- ✓Real barrel ageing, 3 to 6 years
- ✓Measured sugar is well below the 30g/L or more of the sweetest aged rums
What to watch
- !Molasses added for colour
- !Dark rum congener and tannin load
Factor by factor
Congeners Moderate ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Low ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols Low ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites Very Low ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins Moderate ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Moderate ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Moderate ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Black Seal is the base of the Dark ‘n Stormy and is blended in Bermuda from imported Caribbean rums. Difford’s Guide says molasses is added for colour consistency, and the 10g per litre the Swedish monopoly measured fits that.
That makes it moderately sweet rather than dessert sweet, well short of Diplomático.
Gosling's Black Seal questions
How many calories are in a shot of Gosling's Black Seal? ▾
About 100 calories in a 1.5oz shot at 40% ABV. 98 come from the alcohol and 2 from carbohydrate.
Does Gosling's Black Seal have sugar? ▾
Yes, about 0.4g of sugar per 1.5oz serving.
Is Gosling's Black Seal gluten-free? ▾
Yes. Gosling's Black Seal is gluten-free, with no wheat, barley or rye at any stage.
What proof is Gosling's Black Seal? ▾
Gosling's Black Seal is 80 proof, which is 40% alcohol by volume.
Does Gosling's Black Seal give you a bad hangover? ▾
Gosling's Black Seal scores 6/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 6/10 for rum overall. It is low on every hangover factor we track, so most of the morning after comes down to how much ethanol you drink.
Is Gosling's Black Seal vegan? ▾
Yes. Gosling's Black Seal is listed as vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients or fining agents.