George Washington (1732-1799), 1st President of the USA
The Man: General, statesman, national hero, and star of the much-celebrated one-dollar bill, Mr. Washington had a well known affinity for red wine and dark rum. Much to the delight of the revelers at his inaugural fete he provided multiple casks of Jamaican rum. Illegal Jamaican rum, actually. In the newly minted United States, you see, it was against the law to trade in products from the British-controlled islands of the Caribbean. But hey, if you’re going to kick off your presidency with a little flagrant criminality, getting your supporters whiffled is as good a reason as any. And besides, shouldn’t we expect as much from a man who named his dog “Drunkard.”
The Vice: Today’s rum market is all but monopolized by Puerto Rican brands, most notably Bacardi. But if you want to drink like Mr. Washington, pop by Argonaught or Applejack’s and nab a bottle of Wray & Nephew, a delicious light rum, or Appleton Special Gold, or, if you don’t mind dropping a few bills, Mount Gay Eclipse, a top-shelf golden rum that’s like liquid Harry Belefonte.
