301221 Tue Dec 13 23:57:38 -0800 2005 15 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1678587 My husband loves dark rums, for example, ones by Cruzan and Maker's Mark. I would like to get him a small bottle of something of similar quality for Christmas. Ideas, rum drinkers? Tue Dec 13 23:57:38 -0800 2005 0 SLOLindsay 1 1678594 Gosling's Black Seal rum is very dark, black actually. Google for US distributors. Wed Dec 14 06:49:06 -0800 2005 1678587 0 Athena 2 1678596 Love Goslings. It is my favorite dark rum. Wed Dec 14 08:22:59 -0800 2005 1678594 0 BlueHerons 2 1678604 Yummy, slightly spicy, creamy, Bermuda Black Seal!!!Great in a black and coke, traditional in a dark and stormy, wonderful as a float on a rum swizzle. I agree, get him the Black Seal! Wed Dec 14 12:55:02 -0800 2005 1678594 0 CurtA 3 1678625 I have been reading the other posts. Having made a lifestyle out of rum, here are my additional two cents: I discovered Barbancourt while on a yacht delivery via the Dominican Republic on Hispaniola. Barbancourt comes from Haiti, the adjoining country. I am not sure how many stars (age) were on the bottles that we purchased there, but it quickly became one of my all time favorites. (Take note: It is an aged amber style, not what I would consider as dark. Although they may make a dark that I have not run into.) Two of my other favorite rums are Cockspur, and Mount Gay. Although both are Bajan (from Barbados), I was introduced to them initially while in Bermuda. The amber variations, and the Mount Gay Cane Brandy, are both very good. (Again not Dark.) Also introduced to me while in Bermuda was Black Seal. My thoughts on Goslings Black Seal are in the post above. Yes, its dark! Yes, it's my favorite dark rum in the world! Pusser's Rum was introduced to me while living in the British Virgin Islands. At the time their only direct retail outlet was in Roadtown Tortola. It was a VERY small establishment that gave out samples to the occasional tourist that was lucky enough to find a taste (and a stop at Sunny Caribe for spices). They have grown considerably since then. Anyhow, I am not partial to Pusser’s by itself. In my opinion, it lacks the sipping refinement that some of the others mentioned share. That said it does have it's place. I think it serves very well in many tropical drink concoctions, where refined nuances are lost, and it can power through with some of the rum’s flavors . Wed Dec 14 22:34:43 -0800 2005 1678604 0 CurtA 2 1678611 My husband just received a gift - a package called "Gosling's Dark & Stormy" - a bottle of Gosling's and two cans of Barrilla Ginger Beer. Nice! Wed Dec 14 14:09:00 -0800 2005 1678594 0 joan 3 1678616 Ah! Music to a Bermudian's ear - Dark & Stormy ;)! Is that Barritt's gingerbeer? Wed Dec 14 15:56:06 -0800 2005 1678611 0 Athena 4 1678620 Yes yes! That's it! I was looking at it (admiringly) from across the room. Can't wait to open it. Wed Dec 14 17:20:49 -0800 2005 1678616 0 joan 2 1678622 I second Gosling's. It's the best dark I've ever had. Wed Dec 14 17:53:23 -0800 2005 1678594 0 Matt G. 1 1678597 If you or any friends are traveling, pick up a bottle of Havana Club. Even the $8 bottles are glorious, but the aged stuff is out of this world. It is not imported/available in the USA. I like the rhum agricole - which refers to the style of rum making that is used in the French Carribean. Anything you can find from, say, Martinique will be fantastic. These rums have ruined me for Bacardi forever! It's such rotgut, and you wouldn't know it if that's all you ever had... Wed Dec 14 10:28:54 -0800 2005 1678587 0 pitu 1 1678601 Clarkes Court Old Grog from Grenada is tasty. BTW Maker's Mark is not rum but is bourbon. Wed Dec 14 11:54:16 -0800 2005 1678587 0 Candy 1 1678603 Go for something really notable like: - Brugal Anejo - Barbancourt - Ron del Barrilito - Or any of the good old rums from around Martinique Wed Dec 14 12:41:50 -0800 2005 1678587 0 StriperGuy 1 1678607 Do Barbancourt, 8 or 15 year old. For a more "everyday" dark rum, Myers Dark is fun. Wed Dec 14 13:11:10 -0800 2005 1678587 0 Chicago Mike 2 1678610 I always like to have some Meyers on hand. It makes great rum balls. Wed Dec 14 13:36:35 -0800 2005 1678607 0 Candy 1 1678614 Whilst not THE darkest rum around it certainly has a wonderful flavor. Pusser's Bristish Navy Rum, no flavoring agents added and the distillation process is similar to a single malt scotch. If you like rum you will like this. Wed Dec 14 14:54:20 -0800 2005 1678587 0 Swarthog 1 1678630 Thank you to all who replied! I have more than enough information now to go hunting for the perfect bottle. It will also help with his birthday gift in February. Many thanks! Wed Dec 14 23:56:29 -0800 2005 1678587 0 SLOLindsay