1 & 2. Angostura 1919 and Angostura 1824 (Trinidad)
Two grades of grog from the same Trinidad rummaker (House of Angostura–also home of famous Angostura bitters) and two deliciously distinctive rums. Again, the 1919 series is in the same general spectrum of color and age as Appleton’s Special or Westerhall–perhaps a touch more color and character and with a very strong vanilla note which makes it great for mixing with coke (no lime, no libre) or sipping–although some friends (OK, lovers) found the vanilla taste off-putting. 1824 is a whole different beast. Darker, smokier and woodier. Rum comes in more varieties than any other spirit but at the top end of the spectrum, its amazing how closely products from different countries and different processes tend to converge on the same sweet spot; though with its own distinctive flavor this is very close in character and quality to the holy trinity that topped first list: Zacapa, Diplomatico and Appleton’s Reserve. In other words a damn good rum, and available at the liquor shop up the Brooklyn block. In spirits as in beauty, Trinidad wins this round.