Islands in the sun

My family grew up in Trinidad and many of them are still there. The oil industry took my grandparents there and that is where my parents met. In summers from school I went to visit my father on the south eastern tip of Trinidad and that is where I first learned of rum and its potent flavors. During the day I would enjoy the surf and the beach and the tropical setting and at night I would enjoy listening to the rolling breakers and night insects calling away. When I wasn't quite old enough to be legal I tried some rum my friends had and the sweet cane notes and flavors had me hooked. Many years later after my first clandestine sips I have come to appreciate rum and all its fantastic panopoly of flavors.

Angostura Light 3 year. This is an amazing rum for the money. Clean, crisp and refreshing. Hints of spice, cake and sugar cane with hints of sweetness and toasted cane notes on the palate. The finish is smooth and round with aromatic flavors rising off the tounge. $13.99

Angostura Gold 5 year. As this is aged for a couple of years longer it is a bit rounder and fatter in the mouth. The viscosity carries flavors of christmas cake, warming spices and woody overtones. The cane flavors are here along with marshmallow and toasty sugar notes. The finish has hints of sweet caramel and toasted wood. $17.99

Angostura Dark 5 year. This molasses colored rum is heavy in the glass with thick viscosity carrying flavors of charred oak, baked sugar cane, maple syrup, molasses and fruit cake. There is pleny of tropical spice and caramel on the finish with that typical toasted cane note. $17.99

Angostura 1919 8 year. This rum is based on the original J. B. Fernanadez recipe and was passed along when Angostura bought the distillery. This is a fantastic rum that is very aromatic and lively. Hints of plantains, coconut, sugarcane and molasses permeate the nose while the palate is light and delicate with strong flavors of toasted cane, roasted marshmallows and toffee. The finish lingers with spice, oak and creamy sweetness. $26.99

Angostura 1824 12 year. This is by far the most serious offering from the distillery. The dark mahogany color authenticates the years in barrel. The nose is more traditional navy style rum with wood char, glazed sugar and earthy smoked molasses. The palate is thick and rich with expansive flavors of wood char, sugar cane, blackened maple sugar and spiced cake. The finish is complex and layered with classic navy style spice, earth, baked molasses and wood tones. $49.99

Angostura has years of experience in distilling fine rums and it shows in the quality of thier products. Be sure to add these to your favorite rum cocktails, put on some calypso and head down to the islands. Trinidad is a lively and lovely place to visit but if you can't enjoy the beaches and the tropical night life at least try the national drink. Cheers