Named for a moment of serendipity in the Trinidadian rum industry, this offering by the brand much more widely known for its bitters commands a price comparable to most entry-level single malt scotches.

Whilst proverbial wisdom warns us not to judge books by their cover, any barman knows that the bottle is a very important starting point when trying to sell a spirit. Shelf presence is the first impression a customer forms of the product, and therefore any new offering must not look out of place in the existing range. This is where the 1919 comes in, as the bottle holds a look of timeless quality, a class that would look at home no matter where you put it. Short, squat, and heavy, it holds an almost medicinal look but is alluring nonetheless, with the clear glass showing off the caramel coloured spirit beautifully.

On the nose, the alcohol is not aggressive at all, allowing the prominent oak and vanilla notes to come through. The overall impression is one of scented wood, and is one I associate with traditional shaving soaps and old studies with leather-topped desks.

Drunk neat at room temperature, the delicate wood and vanilla come through once again, with a long, warm finish. Over ice, the already smooth spirit becomes even smoother at the cost of some of the flavour. Personally, I would not advise mixing – the flavours really are quite delicate and would not stand up to much dilution.