The House of Angostura Named World Class Distillery 2017, Awarded Six Gold Medals by World Spirits Awards

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, March 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a stellar performance, The House of Angostura has been awarded the coveted title of World Class Distillery 2017 at this year's World Spirits Awards (WSA), as well as Gold Medals for five of its rums and for its newest distillation: Amaro di ANGOSTURA®.

Only 25 distilleries around the world are named World Class by the WSA. To qualify as "World Class" the distillery must be awarded 92-100 points.

Of the House of Angostura's International Rum Range, Gold Medals were awarded to: Angostura® Reserva, Angostura 1824®, Angostura 1919®, Angostura® 7 Year Old Rum, and Angostura® 5 Year Old Rum. The newly launched Angostura® 1787 received a Silver Medal.

Amaro di ANGOSTURA® which has taken the Amaro market by storm also received a Gold Medal from the WSA for the second year in a row, with judges noting the drink's "coherent herb and root mixture… sumptuous sugar sweetness [and] delicate pepper-chilli hotness," which make it unique in the class.

Established 14 years ago, the World Spirits Awards prides itself in setting the ultimate benchmark in the world of spirits using a transparent, accurate 100-point WOB evaluation system. The competition is themed "Simply the best in spirits," and relies on the unsurpassed quality of its jury, which is meticulously trained and highly qualified.

"The House of Angostura appreciates this honour," says Chief Executive Officer Genevieve Jodhan, "We take deep pride in our almost 200-year history of quality, creativity and innovation and we are extremely pleased to be recognised by the WSA."

Press Contact: Jillian Kalloo jkalloo@angostura.com THE HOUSE OF ANGOSTURA

Here's what the World Spirits Awards said about the House of Angostura's Amaro and Rums!

Amaro di ANGOSTURA® - Gold Fragrance: Nice bitterness portfolio, Cola and orange associations, wild berries, roots, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, honey, liquorice, vanilla, dried fruits, lovage, thyme, coca leaf. Taste: Coherent herb and root mixture, a lot of citrus freshness, orange peel, somewhat oily and ethereal, pith, gentian, vermouth, lovage, bay, cinnamon, a lot of ginger, black pepper, sumptuous sugar sweetness, delicate pepper-chilli hotness, compact body, long-lasting finish.

Angostura® Reserva - Gold Fragrance: Typical Carribean rum stylistics, some wood and roast aromas, subtle rum ester, coconut, strawberry, lime freshness, pineapple, raisins, chocolate and banana, floral touch, tobacco. Taste: Classic rum ester notes, milky and creamy, strong wood texture, cocoa, white chocolate, fresh top notes, lime, raspberry, pear, banana, lychee, mango, melon, some green spiciness, very dense, long and harmonious.

Angostura® 7 year old Rum - Gold Fragrance: Elegant aromas, rum ester and wood mixture, sponge, artichoke, orange, peach, somewhat yeasty and grape-like, subtly nutty and roasty, coconut, prunes, almonds, dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, malt candies, tobacco, rosehip. Taste: Rather subtle rum character, subtle rum ester, a lot of brandy-like wood notes, sponge, artichoke, tangerine, dark chocolate, green nuts, caramel, banana, malty and roasty sweetness, tight body, good length,

Angostura 1919® – Gold Fragrance: Nice sugar cane stylistics, iced coffee appeals, a lot of vanilla, wafers, chocolate, nutty, exotic touch, orange, pineapple, peach, coconut, coffee, cocoa, caramel, mocha and roast aromas, slightly smoky notes, floral touch, tobacco. Leather:  Taste: Elegant rum ester, subtle brandy texture, grapefruit, subtly roasty, tobacco-like and smoky, yeasty, vanilla, nougat chocolate, raisins, opulent sweetness, harmonious and tight, long-lasting finish.

Angostura® 5 year old Rum - Gold Fragrance: Aroma symbiosis of molasses and brandy wood, rum ester, banana, strawberry, raspberry, apple, plum, molasses, apricot, coconut, rosehip, a lot of vanilla and roast notes, some caramel, raisins, honey, cocoa, dark chocolate, a touch of tobacco. Taste: Subtlest rum texture, juicy and soft, artichoke, strong wood and roast notes, nougat chocolate, caramel, a lot of vanilla, plum, tobacco, floral aspects, orange blossoms, malt sweetness, good balance, long finish.

Angostura 1824® - Gold Fragrance: Broad aroma image, subtlest ester notes, reminiscent of brandy, apricot, strawberry, tangerine, artichoke, some rosehip, slightly petrol-like, leather, tobacco, vanilla, delicately nutty, some lovage. Taste: Great interplay of rum ester and wood, caramel and candy associations, some peach, green-nutty, roast-like and smoky, clear rum ester, rum pot, coconut, banana, prunes, delicate dark chocolate, yeast, rather lot of sweetness, but still harmonious, tight body, good length.

Angostura® 1787 - Silver Fragrance: Reminiscent of molasses, aged in brandy casks, roasty and iodine, subtle rum ester, a lot of fruit ester, banana, vanilla, coconut, apricot, cherry, some lovage, dried pear, caramel, floral aspects. Taste: Fragrance copy on the palate, subtle rum character, mango, peach, nougat, a lot of dried pears, delicate, green herb bouquet, leather, coffee, tobacco, honey, clear sugar sweetness, good tightness and length, liqueur-like in the finish.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

THE HOUSE OF ANGOSTURA

Capitalising on its heritage as the world's most well-known maker of aromatic bitters, the House of Angostura has catapulted into the 21st century with an exquisite range of rums, the magnificent Amaro di ANGOSTURA® and of course, ANGOSTURA® aromatic bitters and ANGOSTURA® orange bitters, now in demand in more than 170 countries across the world. The House of Angostura, distinguished by its excellence, has been recognized over the centuries by the granting of Royal Warrants of Appointment to the royal households of Great Britain, Prussia, Spain and Sweden as suppliers of Angostura aromatic bitters. The House of Angostura has been producing fine rums for 130 years, mastering the art of aging and blending. The House of Angostura's superior rums are helping to redefine the rum category as one with equal sophistication, craftsmanship and artistry to spirits like whisky.

About the World Spirits Awards

The mission of The World Spirits Awards is to establish, as the world's best competition with a distillery classification, an assessment standard that sets the ultimate benchmark in the world of spirits. Four hundred spirits from 60 participants and distilleries from 25 nations were judged in this year's competition, where the results were based on the WOB 100-points grading system tailored to spirits, as an experienced international jury of tasters warranted an unbiased assessment. The spirits that were staged ranged from coffee and cigar brandies to gin, rum, fruit spirits and 100% distillates. "Simply the best in Spirits" slogan indicated that only the best products were allowed to be entered. Three hundred and eighty five medals were awarded at the competition this year.

About Amaro Di ANGOSTURA®

Impossible to replicate, the taste of Amaro di Angostura® is derived from the bespoke process used in creating the House of Angostura's iconic aromatic bitters. The House yeast strain, cultivated by Angostura® since the 1930's in Trinidad, combined with the addition of other spices and neutral alcohol from its distillery, result in an elevation of a classic liqueur creating an entirely new-world dimension to the category. Like Angostura® aromatic bitters, the Amaro di Angostura® recipe is a secret. Bottled at 35% ABV, Amaro di Angostura® is a deep amber colour, offering aromas of cinnamon, dark chocolate and unmistakable Angostura® aromatic bitters. The flavours explode on the tongue with warm cinnamon and liquorice notes. The finish is perfectly balanced, exotic, lush and reminiscent of the essence of Trinidad and Tobago's pulsating rhythms, tropical climate and beauty. Amaro di Angostura® can be enjoyed over ice, is splendid on its own and offers delicious harmony in a cocktail.

A Range of 6 Distinctive Rums

Angostura's international range of rums includes five distinctive, exquisitely blended rums produced exclusively at The House of Angostura in Trinidad: Angostura® 1787, Angostura 1824®, Angostura 1919®, Angostura® 7 Year Old, Angostura® 5 Year Old and Angostura® Reserva

• Angostura® 1787: Angostura® 1787 Rum is a super-premium blend of rums aged for a minimum of 15 years. It is the newest addition to the House of Angostura's family of premium rums. A well balanced, medium bodied rum with rich mahogany with bronze highlights. This rum exudes a sweet bouquet of banana, dried fruit and oak with top notes of apples. To the palate there are hints of dried prunes and sweet rounded oak notes entwined with toffee nuances with a long and crisp.
• Angostura 1824®: Angostura 1824® is a blend of rums aged for a minimum of 12 years. A rich medium-bodied rum, 1824® is dark gold in colour, shot through with amber lights, with rich bouquet of sweet molasses, cocoa and toffee with top notes of tropical fruit. This rum offers a well-rounded palate with hints of chocolate, orange, spices and fruity nuances and a long, smooth finish.
• Angostura 1919®: Angostura 1919® is a light blend of rums aged in charred, used bourbon casks. 1919 is a premium sipping rum, golden amber in hue exhibiting a rich complex bouquet of cocoa, vanilla and coconut. Remarkably well rounded in taste with a dry medium-bodied palate, 1919® reveals hints of roasted nuts, creamy vanilla, brown spices and tropical nuances.
• Angostura® 7 Year Old: To create Angostura® 7 Year Old rum, Angostura's Master Blender selects from rums aged for a minimum of 7 years. The result: a rum of rich medium body, the magical dark, deep red of mahogany, with an enticing bouquet of creamy aromas.... vanilla, chocolate, molasses, coffee and oak.
• Angostura® 5 Year Old: An exquisite blend of light rums, aged for a minimum 5 years, this is a luminescent clear rum with subtle golden highlights. Aromatic with light woody notes of coconut, caramel, lemon and hints of vanilla, the taste Angostura® 5 Year Old contains nuances of tropical fruits.
• Angostura® Reserva: Aged for a minimum of three years, Angostura® Reserva is a truly superior white rum: pure and clear, smooth and flavourful with hints of burnt ripe banana and other exotic tropical fruit aromas. This dryish medium-bodied spirit offers a quick burst of spicy hot pepper and burnt caramel to finish.

How to enjoy Angostura® Rums

The high quality rums of the House of Angostura are created with artistry and craftsmanship, offering subtle, complex flavor profiles that can be sipped or blended in cocktails. Our premium rums —Angostura 1824®, Angostura 1919®, and Angostura® 7 Year Old — are perfect for sipping, on their own, straight up or on the rocks. The entire range can be enjoyed with mixers and are excellent in cocktails from the Queen's Park Swizzle to the Cuba Libre!

The Artistry of Rum Making

The only rum distillery in Trinidad today, the House of Angostura® is renowned for its unique, signature style. Angostura's® rums are made from only the highest quality molasses fermented with proprietary yeast cultures, distilled in continuous stills in carefully controlled conditions, then aged for between three and 12 years or more. The entire process takes place in Angostura's® warehouse and distillery in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Our rums are blended by masters with years of experience and training in original traditions, celebrated experts who closely maintain guarded formulas and techniques.

Angostura® Rums: A Rich History

The House of Angostura's® award winning rums are steeped in nearly 200 years of tradition. The journey started in 1824 when founder Dr. Johann Siegert first produced aromatic bitters in Angostura, Venezuela (today called Ciudad Bolivar).  In the 1870's, Dr. Siegert's three sons migrated to Trinidad, among them Don Carlos Siegert, who pioneered the brand, establishing Angostura® aromatic bitters as an integral ingredient in premium cocktails and ultimately a mainstay of cocktail culture. The family's Siegert Bouquet Rum became a Trinidadian tradition up until the early 1960's and part of the company's rich rum heritage. In the 1970's, The House of Angostura® expanded, acquiring the Fernandes family distillery, which was founded in the 1890's by Manoel Fernandes, an immigrant from Portugal, and known for making high quality rums. 

Angostura® Rums: The True Spirit of Trinidad

Angostura's® rums could only be created in Trinidad, a country that is home to adventurous peoples from almost every corner of the world. Today that adventurous spirit is manifest in Trinidad's music, food, art, and (of course!) in our creative ability to make exquisite rums. The House of Angostura® has captured the true spirit of Trinidad and Tobago for more than 190 years! According to Angostura® Master Distiller John Georges: "Our rums are 100% Trinidadian, made in one distillery, on one Island."

Available World Wide

The House of Angostura exports 100% of its production to almost every country in the world. Angostura's International Rum Range is available in more than 50 countries, from Canada to the Ukraine, to Australia and practically everywhere in between. To learn more about the House of Angostura's award-winning rum portfolio, visit www.angostura.com.

ANGOSTURA'S AWARD WINNING RUMS:

AMARO DI ANGOSTURA® AWARDS: