Objective Notes
Extremely Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth)

This is a full bodied rum with strong hints of vanilla flavor. Some hints of smokiness and char flavor from the oak barrel are apparent. Some hints of minor flavors of orange zest and figs. It starts off like a warm dream of vanilla and caramel in your mouth. It warms you up at first and is smooth throughout. This rum is meant to be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Don't waste it as a mixer. It's a great after dinner rum. I like it with a fine cigar while sitting next to a fire. It has a light amber color and an aroma of vanilla.

Anecdotal Notes
I was introduced to 1824, as I affectionately call it, in Oregon some time ago. Dave and I found it in Phillipsburg, St. Martin this April on our most recent trip to the West Indies and decided to procure a bottle, but resisted opening it until we got home. It has a nice consistent flavor and is very smooth. Distilled from molasses in Trinidad and Tobago, this is Angostura’s most premium rum. It's both more refined and mature than many other 12 year old rums. From it smooth taste, I would guess that it was closer to 15 to 18 years old.

Angostura produced it first rums in 1824 and this rum celebrates this tradition in excellence. “1824” is hand casked, hand drawn, hand bottled, with the bottles individually numbered to ensure the highest quality. The thick, heavy, broad shouldered bottle comes with a wax sealed cork top and is stamped. All in all, a pleasing presentation that won’t disappoint when you get to your first sip.

Personally, I like to add a vanilla bean to my 1824 bottle and let it sit for a few days or weeks to add even more flavor. This is a technique that RnD sometimes uses to take fine rums to another level, or add flavor, or to smooth out harsher rums that bite. “Dropping the bean” adds to the already great vanilla flavor inherent in the rum. I do this about every other time I obtain a new bottle. (For this review the bean was omitted).

Taster’s Opinion
Roger - This is a premium rum that can be enjoyed everyday as it is velvety smooth and a pleasure to enjoy. I always have a bottle on hand though I only imbibe on occasion. It seems like a special occasion when I bring it out. Costing up to $60 US here in the states, I would say it is toward the higher end of the price range, and difficult to find in liquor stores, but worth it.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):
Roger - 9 flasks

Most recently tasted by: Roger on June 9th, 2006 at RnD's northern tasting room, USA.