which is recommended for reliability, not concerned with performance.

i had a blown head gasket about 1 year ago. i did a quick replacement with a generic replacement head gasket (did not get head shaved and used old head bolts). now it's starting to leak again. will replace it again but wanted to ask if certain head gaskets were more reliable than others. also i will get head shaved a bit to make sure it sits perfect this time and will also use new head bolts too.

any other helpful advice is also welcome.

thank you

Whatever was done before, it isn't failing now because of the gasket manufacturer or old head bolts but from the head's straightness & surface condition & assembly prep and care.
http://www.aa1car.com/library/ic697.htm

Genuine Toyota head gaskets are expensive but there is no doubting their quality.
By all accounts TRD gaskets require both block and head are skimmed perfectly flat.
When you remove the old gasket the failure point should be obvious and it should be possible to work out if it is a gasket failure or not.

clean all the surfaces. this is the most important part and will also determine the longevity of any motor. clean, clean and clean again untill you will eat off of it. then clean it again. as stated above check the mating surfaces of the block and the head for truness with a straight edge.

Also, the last place you wanna get any bits of ultra hard abrasive, carbon bits & smegma from cleaning, is into the rings!!!
Water jacket, so what.
Oil drain/s, damages the pump but the filter 'll catch it.
Oil port, NFG.
Bolt holes, NFG.