We are excited to finally write this review, as 1919 was the rum that led to the realization that reviews for the rest of us need to be accessible, accurate and meaningful. Some of you may remember when moi - the Compleat Idiot - made a breakthrough in learning to taste.
Sue Sea (who is a superb taster) and I were early on in our learning experience and to be fair were struggling with our drams of 1919. I'd pulled out a couple reviews - from El Machete and RnD - cautiously and later in the process (to avoid being overly influenced). There was a distinct, but elusive aroma that we just couldn't place. The reviews both mentioned banana among many other descriptors. After a few more minutes of head shaking and repeated nosing it came to me of all people...
Bananas Foster!
Not just bananas or any of the other descriptors in the reviews, but unequivocally Bananas Foster. Sue Sea and her niece and boyfriend, also present, heartily agreed. The boyfriend was so impressed with this nomenclature that he called a couple weeks later to ask me the name of "that Bananas Foster rum". The point:
Long lists of descriptors, like recipe ingredients - though meaningful to professional cooks or tasters - really don't describe the end product. "Bananas Foster" does. It is meaningful, accessible, memorable and effective. Terms like this is was tasting - and reporting it - is all about. To the reviews:
Sue Sea:
Me:This was one of the early rums that Jimbo bought, long before we had to buy a glass display case at Ikea. I always loved 1919's wonderful, shapely and elegant bottle which really sets the tone for this rum. Yes, I'm going to give it a good rating! My defining aroma was of banana, brown sugar - pan browned in butter, also a nice light vanilla, like a vanilla/brown sugar cookie. The taste is entirely consistent with this wonderful and lingering aroma, and light bodied. The finish is very smooth and peppery warm. Ahh! A truly awesome finish.
Jimbo's revelation of "Banana's Foster" is right on the spot. The aroma is truly of this classic dessert - delivered to your table ala mode with real vanilla ice cream. Elegant and lovely!
As mentioned this was a breakthrough rum for me in terms of both tasting and reporting. I learned that descriptors from your own life experience are the best, and quite meaningful to others. "Bananas Foster", Angostura 1919, has a wonderful and memorable aroma. About as close to overdone as you can get without actually going over the top. Yes, it's "Bananas Foster" with sweet vanilla overtones. The taste is light bodied, nice and smooth, quite consistent (as we like). A great warm and peppery finish, also much to our liking.
1919 is light, sophisticated, a great sipper and dessert rum of course. Great for guests but also for experienced sippers. Many of the other rums in this category are overdone or somewhat simplistic. Angostura 1919 is not.
Rating (10 is best): 8.