provincial breweries to sell its Black Seal Rum.

The deal will make the company one of Bermuda's leading manufacturing exporters.

By January, 1994, the dark rum should be available at all of the 170 pubs run by Young & Co.'s Brewery in the London area.

Deals are expected to be signed soon to distribute the product further afield in the United Kingdom and also in Australia, New Zealand and, possibly, France.

Gosling's vice president, Mr. Malcolm Gosling, Jr., said: "This is a very exciting time for us.

"It is not only good for Gosling's but it also brings in much-needed foreign currency for the Island and heightens the awareness of Bermuda to the outside world.'' He added: "Young's is a top class brewery and this deal will help us clinch a wider distribution deal in the UK.'' A promotion campaign will be launched to persuade foreigners to try the Dark `n' Stormy cocktail of Black Seal Rum and ginger beer.

Young's will use Black Seal as the house rum at its 127 managed pubs and will encourage its use at its pubs which are run on a tenancy basis.

As part of the agreement, Gosling's is distributing three of Young's real ales in Bermuda.

Young's Special London Ale, Young's Ram Rod and Young's Oatmeal Stout were introduced in draught form to at least ten local pubs and bars earlier this month.

Young's chairman and CEO, 72-year-old Mr. John Young, who was a rum drinker during his days with the Royal Navy, was in Bermuda for the launch.

It was the first time the former Spitfire pilot had returned to the Island since coming here on the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable in 1942 during the Second World War.

He was optimistic about persuading Britons to try Black Seal, which has a 40 percent alcohol content.

"White rum is far more popular than dark rum in the UK but we have high hopes for Black Seal,'' he said. "It is very smooth and is a premium rum.'' Gosling's is one of a small band of manufacturers in Bermuda, where high freight, labour and property costs do not favour heavy industry.

The company imports different rums from three Caribbean islands and blends them into Black Seal Rum at its Hamilton location, where it is also bottled.

Gosling's first started exporting its flagship product ten years ago to the New York area.

The company made a breakthrough in 1990 when it signed an agreement with Chicago-based Boston Brands to distribute Black Seal throughout the US.

Export sales now account for about 50 percent of Gosling's total output of Black Seal.

GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT -- Toasting the liquor agreement are, from left to right, Mr. Doug Clark and Mr. Malcolm Gosling Jr., of Gosling's, and Mr. John Young and Mr. Pat Read, chairman and managing director respectively of Young's Brewery.