Angostura 1919

Category: Dark
Country: Trinidad & Tobago
Aged: Minimum 8 Years
Alcohol: 40% (80 proof)
Availability: Limited
Price: $30-$40 (750 mL)

Appearance (0-5): 5
Aroma (0-25): 25
Taste (0-35): 32
Smoothness (0-10): 9
Body (0-5): 4
Overall Quality (0-20): 20
Machete Grade (0-100): 95

Notes: Angostura 1919 from Trinidad is a rum that, for my tastes, is just shy of perfect. The elegant bottle with large cork only begins to prepare one for the quality inside. The radiant and clear golden amber hue has thin-to-medium legs. The rich bouquet is the highlight: toasted caramel, sweet molasses, ripe banana and vanilla. It's this combination of sweet aromas that makes 1919 ridiculously approachable. On the tongue it is not as sweet, but it is still excellent. Smooth and sweet, this is the crème brûlée of rums. Round, creamy, and warm, the tastes are classic and fairly uncomplicated: lightly burnt caramel, brown sugar, toffee, and vanilla with some smoky alcohol. Did I mention that it's smooth, smooth, smooth? While it could be a nice rum in a mixed drink - and Angostura themselves recommend using it in their Ninetini - it would be shameful to hide this quality behind other flavors. Sip Angostura 1919 neat, or with a single ice cube you deem worthy. This is a great rum that is mature beyond its eight years, and is as much a superb introduction to quality rum as it is a treat for connoisseurs.

Reviewed: November 2007

Website: http://www.angostura.com/