Angostura 5-Year

Before I started writing reviews here, I tried the Angostura 7 Year and absolutely hated it. This family of rums is so different from the more commonly marketed brands that one can easily be put off by trying one of these first. Now that I have an appreciation for their 1919 and 1824 with their very unique taste, it was time to give the 7-Year another try. The store was out of that one, so I gave this 5-Year a try for only $21.

It is pale yellowish gold and exudes infancy. The same unique aroma of it's older brothers is apparent, but that is where the similarities end. It is a pretty smooth and dry rum, but it would be better suited to being served with ginger ale as I recommended for their 1919. So this one is too young and the 1824 is too rich and costly, which means that their 1919 is the best value for sipping. I just had to find out for myself.

As an after note, mixing one part Angostura 5 Year with two parts ginger ale and served over lots of ice cubes in a tall glass makes for one very refreshing and unique tropical drink. If it were only $6 cheaper, I could also recommend it as a good bargain buy. I will still buy this one again specifically to make the drink just described. It's THAT good! But don't drink it neat or on the rocks!

If you want a mixer rum that hides itself in the cocktail, this one is not it. It renders itself obvious that Angostura is in the unmistakable mix.

Light, hits you with pineapple and berry. Finishes like sweet salt water taffy. Middle of the road but more interesting flavour than most in this price range.

Younger brother of other rums in Angostura lineup, not so refined as 7y of course, but the taste profile is similar, can be sipped alright, but lacks depth, it is quite light. Good for mixing. As its 7y counterpart is better and only tad more expensive, I tend to go for 7y instead.

($30CAD) I wanted to have a mixing option for some cocktails and also wanted to try this neat as the Angostura 7 year was delicious.

On its own, the 5 year smells strongly of alcohol but a bit fruity as well. Lots of that Angostura aroma too, which is slowly becoming one of my favourites.
Taste is definitely a bit sharper than the 7 but also a bit lighter with some tropical fruit and citrus notes dominating the tongue. It’s light and crisp with an ok finish.

I wish I had some English Harbour 5 year to compare with. Both are around the same price and in my opinion, would share the same purpose. Will get by as a neat sipper, and you won’t be afraid to throw it in a cocktail too.
Now it’s time to go up in age through the Angostura options.

No hangover and nice flavour while mixing with coke and lime.
It makes the warm nigths colder and fatigue disapears.

Nice aroma but has a slight alcohol nose to it. Taste is good as well. Overall a good column still rum.

Well priced decent everyday rum, works great in mixes, but can be siped as well

Gott med lite söt rom efter libanesisk middag. Kryddig.

Decent but not remarkable in any way rum. Still, it has quite a good value for money considering it's 20 eur price (January 2024).

Not the best for the price, needs a bit more aging. either a top end mixer rum or low end straight