Evan Williams is bright brown with core highlights that are nearly red in this refined decanter. The cork is protected by a black rubber seal that goes all the way down to the end of the bottles bubbled neck. Markings on the front label clearly indicate the whiskey was put in oak in 1996 as do the handwritten notes, which add a touch of individuality, on the back label. Around the neck is a small booklet praising the quality of Evan Williams Single Barrel and listing some awards it has won over the years. All these little details make the bottle of Evan Williams Single Barrel very inviting and attractive.

I could hardly wait to finally open this bottle for review after 5 long months it had been calling my name on the shelf. But it wasn't going to be easy to get to its contents as the rip cord of the wax seal didn't work and I actually had use a knife to cut through the thick rubber and then through the odd plastic cover under it. It appears this bourbon was determined to pique my anticipation as it made me wait a little while longer - it took nigh on 10 minutes to open the bottle.

This is a bottle that makes you think you're in for something really special. A uniquely numbered square bottle with rounded shoulders and a big black wooden cork that distinguishes it from a crowd of other bottles.  The box itself, that Angostura 1919 came in, is quite refined too with its embossed flower pattern on the front. Before opening the bottle and pouring the rum in a glass I can already see that the clarity of Angostura 1919 is spectacular! You can clearly see through the golden liquid when looking through the bottle.

After removing the magnificent cork the room is slowly filled with a deliciously intoxicating scent of vanilla and caramel. In the glass Angostura 1919 is a pale gold with thin legs that soon sink back down the sides of the glass merging back into the rest of the rum. Once settled in the glass the clarity is even more exceptional than it was in the bottle.

The first thing that attracted me to this rum was its unique presentation. A squat bottle in a leather pouch. It immediately gave me the idea that this rum must be something special if the makers have taken the time to create such special packaging. Outside the pouch Ron Pampero is dark mahogany and the label on the bottle is decorated with a medieval font, as is the typing on the leather pouch. The bottle also has a red plastic seal which bears the Pampero logo, a man on a horse. Inspecting the bottle closer I was disappointed to notice that the bottle I have doesn't bear a bottle number despite the many reviews that state it should. Perhaps this is a newer bottle and the makers have decided not to use bottle numbering anymore.

A long debated issue with many varying views. People seem to divide into two major groups when discussing this topic, they either love or hate the cork, still a lot of people don’t care how their bottle is sealed. For cork lovers its not just about sealing the bottle, but rather how you seal it.

The screw cap is no doubt more reliable than the cork. It doesn't dry or leak very easily and it stays on tighter than the cork. Although these days most bottles that have a cork have a plastic wrap on them to prevent the cork from falling out. Some bottles even have wax poured over the cork which is a very nice touch in my opinion. Admittedly these kinds of bottles are usually more expensive than their normal or screw capped counterparts. It is also cheaper to use a screw cap than a cork that is facing the threat of extinction. Another popular replacement for the cork is a rubber cork which does not come off as easy as a real cork and is less likely to leak.