Goslingsrum

King Neptune's Bust in the Keep Yard, Royal Naval Dockyard

This sculpture of the Roman god of the ocean was crafted by Laurence Tindall in the 1970’s and installed on the grounds of the National Museum of Bermuda. It is a replica of a wooden bust that once adorned the bow of the warship HMS Irresistable of the British Naval Fleet, launched in 1859, and later laid to rest in Bermuda’s waters, where her bones and canon can still be seen.

King Neptune’s current home, The National Museum of Bermuda, explores the maritime and island history of Bermuda. The maritime museum is located within the grounds of the fortress Keep of the former Royal Naval Dockyard.

Visitors to the museum can stroll the nearby Victualling Yard, where the Royal Navy stored its food and drink supplies, the high walls preventing any theft.

Legend has it that it was here in the Royal Naval Dockyard where British troops brewed ginger beer, meant to combat seasickness. It wasn’t long til they started mixing it with the local Goslings Black Seal Rum – and the Dark ‘n Stormy® cocktail was born.

Somerset Village

Somerset Village, on the northwest area of Bermuda, is located on southern shore of Mangrove Bay, and was once a useful, if minor port. Here, at the turn of the last century, the extension of the nearby Royal Naval Dockyard, along with a growing influx of US visitors, warranted the opening of a Gosling’s Bros. branch store in Somerset Village. In the 1950’s the store location moved to the corner of Main and Cambridge Roads in Somerset, where it remained operational until 2011.

Gibb's Hill Lighthouse

Climb the 185-step spiral staircase of Gibbs’ Hill Lighthouse to enjoy one of the best views on the island. The 117-foot lighthouse was built in 1846 of cast iron – the oldest of its kind in the world, and one of only two cast-iron lighthouses still in existence. It overlooks the South Shore and Little Sound, offering views of both the City of Hamilton and the Royal Naval Dockyard.

Alpha Island

Better know by locals as “Diving Board Island,” this is a popular spot for cliff jumping into the Great Sound. The island was likely frequented by a young Francis “Goose” Gosling, who was an Olympic springboard diver who represented Bermuda at the 1948 London Olympics and the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. In addition to significant contributions though his athletic career, philanthropic work, and service in the Royal Air Force during WWII, Goose is credited with creating the signature “Seal and Rum Barrel” logo that now graces the front of every bottle of Goslings Black Seal Rum.

Goslings Queen St Store

In 1824 James Gosling and his brother Ambrose rented a shop on Front Street in the new capital of Hamilton for £25 a year. The Gosling family maintained a store at this location for 127 years before opening the flagship store at the corner of Front St and Queen St, where it still stands proudly today, painted its signature blue hue.

Goslings Headquarters

Located in the City of Hamilton, this is the site of Goslings’ corporate headquarters, the Goslings Rum prodouction facility, and a retail store. Like most buildings across the island, the Goslings production facility relies entirely on collected Bermuda rainwater. In 2011, Nancy Gosling, 7th generation and President and CEO of Gosling’s Ltd, furthered the company’s commitment to sustainability by converting the Goslings plant into the largest solar powered building in Bermuda at the time. Join Brand Director Andrew Holmes on a tour of the plant, for a behind-the-scenes look at how we produce our award winning Bermuda Rums.

Shelly Bay

Shelly Bay was home to the “Swizzle Machine” Queen – Sheila West Gosling. Sheila’s daughter Fiona and her son Weston are now the caretakers of the famous Swizzle Washing Machine. Here they explain the origin of the “wringer” that always manages to “stir” things up at parties and special events – and show how to mix up a legendary Bermuda Rum Swizzle.

Bermuda Aquarium

The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo houses a range of animals and marine life in naturalistic environments. While Goslings Black Seal Rum can be found at every watering hole on the island, actual seals are a rarity in Bermuda, generally only arriving there after swimming far off course from the North Atlantic. In the early 1990’s the Gosling family sponsored the construction of a seal sanctuary at BAMZ, which today is still open to public visitors. In 2019, Gosling’s Ltd. supported the care and rehabilitation of a stranded grey seal, who was succesfully released into the wild after being transfered from Bermuda to Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut.

Crystal Caves

First discovered by teenage boys chasing a wayward cricket ball in 1907, the Crystal Caves, thought to be millions of years old, house dramatic formations and a clear ocean-fed lake. This awe-inspiring subterranean world has inspired everyone from Mark Twain to the creators of Fraggle Rock. Gosling family lore contends that Francis “Goose” Gosling, member of the 6th generation, an Olympic Diver, and a WWII Royal Air Force veteran, dared to dive in the waters of these ancient caves.

The Swizzle Inn Pub

Swizzle Inn and swagger out of Bermuda’s oldest pub, which created the famous Rum Swizzle punch in the 1930’s – a not-too-sweet combination of Goslings Rums, Goslings Falernum (a locally made liqueur old available to purchase in Bermuda), and fruit juices. Join owner Jay Correia for the story behind this iconic restaurant that is loved by visitors and locals alike.

King's Parade

This is where the Goslings’ history in Bermuda begins. In the spring of 1806, London wine and spirits merchant James Gosling set out from England aboard the chartered clipper Mercury with L10,000 of merchandise bound for the Virginias. The voyage was a difficult one. Ninety-one consecutive days of calm left the crew and passengers in dire straits and the charter of the Mercury was fast running out. The ship eventually made port in St. Georges, Bermuda, where Gosling and his family decided to set up shop rather than press on to America. James Gosling opened a shop on the King’s Parade, St. George’s in December 1806.

The Unfinished Church

This is where the Goslings’ history in Bermuda begins. In the spring of 1806, London wine and spirits merchant James Gosling set out from England aboard the chartered clipper Mercury with L10,000 of merchandise bound for the Virginias. The voyage was a difficult one. Ninety-one consecutive days of calm left the crew and passengers in dire straits and the charter of the Mercury was fast running out. The ship eventually made port in St. Georges, Bermuda, where Gosling and his family decided to set up shop rather than press on to America. James Gosling opened a shop on the King’s Parade, St. George’s in December 1806.

Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve

Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve is home to a quiet and unspoiled park with extensive walking trails, stunning views of Castle Harbour and access to several beautiful public beaches, including Turtle Bay and the popular Clearwater Beach at Annie’s Bay. The Wildlife Observation Tower at the far end of the peninsula offers spectacular views of the Bermuda coastline – a great place to spot whales and migratory birds.

This entry should be accompanied by this recipe and photo:

Jungle Bird  

2 oz Goslings Black Seal Rum
1 oz Aperol 1 oz Pineapple juice
1 oz Fresh Lime juice
1 oz Simple Syrup
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and fine strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Garnish with a pineapple leaf.