In this smooth-sailing conversation with Malcolm Gosling Jr., 8th generation steward of the Goslings Rum company, some of the topics we discuss include:

• How a lapsed ship charter to Virginia kicked off the Gosling family’s spirited enterprise on the humble 21 square mile rock in the middle of the Atlantic known as Bermuda.

• The ways in which Goslings rum both conforms to and expands what most rum nerds think of when they hear the term “British-style Caribbean rum,” and why the family’s roots in sourcing, blending, and retail are key to the entire flavor profile and identity.

• We also dig into two key brand stories: the origins of the “Black Seal Rum” name and logo, which involves upcycling Champagne Bottles used by the British navy, and of course the legend of how one poor bartender’s failure to politely cut off a drunk guy is responsible for the Dark ‘N Stormy cocktail.

• And we wrap up by covering some of Goslings Rum’s longer-aged and special edition products that will pique the interest of any rum enthusiast, including their “Spirited Seas” project that’s aged aboard the Oleander cargo ship.

• Along the way, we discover why pigs gave Bermuda a scary reputation back in the day, explore some of the creative activations Malcolm and his team are pursuing as “The Official Rum of Leisure,” take a spin in crazy aunt Shiela’s industrial rum swizzle machine, and much, much more.

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