Meet Malcolm Gosling of Goslings Rum | Video

Malcolm Gosling, eighth generation purveyor of Goslings Rum, meets up with his old pal – and fellow Charleston mainstay – Shep Rose, taking us on a tour of his go-to spots in Charleston for the best Dark ‘n Stormy® and diving into the drink’s historical ties to Bermuda rum.

The Dark ‘n Stormy is a signature drink of Bermuda, with many locals naming it the unofficial national beverage. This trademarked cocktail combines Goslings Black Seal Rum, lime, and ginger beer served over ice, aptly named by a fisherman who exclaimed it was the “color of a cloud only a fool or dead man would sail under”. 

Malcolm Gosling’s Top Three Spots for a Dark ‘n Stormy in Charleston:

The Ordinary

This high-end, yet approachable, oyster hall pairs fresh, sharable seafood with a classic take on the Dark ‘n Stormy.

The Cocktail Club

Enjoy a Dark ‘n Stormy in an upscale speakeasy-style bar with a moody interior and incredible mixologist.

The Palace Hotel

This new neighborhood bar in Charleston boasts a playful, laid-back interior and precision for craft cocktails.

The Dark ‘n Stormy is not the only way that Charleston and Bermuda overlap. In fact, the relationship between the two destinations dates back hundreds of years. When global trade began to boom, voyagers would often stop between the “old” and “new” worlds and make port in Bermuda. Here, they would pick up all sorts of important cargo, namely, rum. 

A modern connection still connects the two: sailing. Charleston Race Week, one of the largest sailing regattas in the US, brings many participants to the Holy City and is one of the biggest events Goslings participates in. With its inception, the Newport to Bermuda race inspired many sailors to stock up on rum in Bermuda that they wouldn’t find in the states. This began Goslings’ first exports, serving sailors since 1906. 

Goslings’ rum itself is nearly 200 years old. In 1806, Malcolm’s sixth great grandfather, James Gosling, owned a wine and liquor store in England and was eager to start a business in the new world. So, he gathered 10,000 pounds sterling worth of inventory into a boat called The Mercury and set out on a 90-day journey from England to Virginia. However, his journey was cut short as his boat becalmed at sea. This forced him to take leave at the nearest British port, St. George’s, in Bermuda. Here, just 100 yards from where he arrived, he set up his shop. As his success rose, his brother, Ambrose, joined him with the remaining wine and spirits. This history makes Goslings Rum Bermuda’s oldest business.

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