On the planet of cocktails, Angostura is about as OG as one can get. Even neophytes acknowledge that signature outsized label and vivid yellow cap and realize it’s a staple on any bar price its salt. Hell, they even promote it on the small format Goal close to me. Ango is ubiquitous; anybody who is aware of something about cocktails is aware of the title. I name it the Frank’s Crimson Scorching of bitters as a result of I put that shit on every thing.

Angostura, named after Angostura, Colombia (right now, Ciudad Bolívar), was a product birthed as many old-school, now cocktail-stalwart merchandise have been: medical necessity. A German physician, Johann Siegert, was employed by Simón Bolívar to take care of his troops through the conflict for independence towards the Spanish. Noticing that many troops suffered from gastric maladies, the nice Physician crafted a potent tincture he referred to as “Amargo Aromático” – chock stuffed with a number of herbs and spices to rival the Colonel’s – to alleviate the stomach troubles of the Libertadores.

And so, in 1824, what would develop into the world’s most well-known bitters, was born.
However many don’t know that for over 75 years, Angostura has been cooking up rather more than their quintessential cocktail seasoning. Their Trinidad & Tobago distillery additionally churns out over a dozen sorts and flavors of rum, which, in line with them, is the “world’s most awarded rum vary.” They’re now the most important producer of Trini rum, a lot in order that they should supply sugar cane from different locales, such because the DR. And, after all, they use this rum because the alcohol base for his or her bitters line.

BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: The Home of Angostura, Trinidad & Tobago
• AGE: 7 years
• PROOF: 80 Proof
• MSRP: $34.99
• BUY ONLINE: Broadly out there in liquor shops, however yow will discover it on-line right here.

ERIN’S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Curious drinkers trying to increase their sips into a brand new class and Outdated Original lovers.

WORTH THE PRICE: Completely. I’ve seen the bottle as little as $27, which is a good worth for a 7-year-old rum, particularly for cocktails.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. The right pour for neat consuming at dwelling and mixing in varied drinks.

OVERALL: The parents at Angostura have been type sufficient to permit me to pattern two of their expressions: Angostura 1919 and Angostura 7-Yr-Outdated. I like rum, particularly in cocktails and the older expressions for sipping, however I had not had the chance to pattern Ango’s distillate earlier than. For years, rum was a spirit I had little curiosity in. It was all the time in drinks that have been too candy, frozen (I don’t love frozen issues), or stuffed with pineapple (additionally not my favourite). However as any good Curious Drinker does, I gave it one other probability.

I used to be initially drawn to rechallenging rum on account of its versatility in cocktails. Nonetheless, I shortly realized it was a superb lower-proof darkish spirit to take pleasure in after I wished one thing rather less strong alcohol-wise however nonetheless quenched that want for richness and caramel on the palate. The molasses and secondary getting old in ex-bourbon barrels yield a spirit that’s good for a bourbon lover to discover. One necessary be aware, although, is that almost all of coloration in rum is definitely on account of including caramel coloration (on this case, created from white sugar), which isn’t the case for bourbons.

Angostura’s rums are strong and really approachable. There’s not a noticeable “funk” to them, however they’re nonetheless tasty. This can be as a result of they’re produced through column nonetheless, whereas a number of the extra “conventional” and different-tasting rums are produced through the older technique utilizing a pot nonetheless.

I each tasted the rums neat and blended into an Outdated Original. The 7-year was higher suited to the Outdated Original, because the longer-aged, richer, fuller flavors maintain up higher towards the bitters. I used Angostura Fragrant bitters and do-it-yourself Demerara vanilla easy syrup (recipe beneath). 1919 held up higher in a Mojito and lent a bit of extra physique than a white rum. Angostura is a strong guess for the flavour, selection, and worth in case you are a rum drinker or only a curious bourbon drinker attempting to increase your repertoire. It’s nice in cocktails, and the 7-year can be a improbable place to begin for sipping rums. It’s not costly, not overly candy, delivers on these vanilla and oak flavors, and can be utilized for a much less boozy OF.

BRAND NOTES

Angostura^® 7 year-old-rum is a robust, strong and flavoursome rum. Angostura^® 7-year-old rum is filled with mouthwatering flavours that embrace maple, chocolate, honey and toffee and presents a wealthy, full-bodied style that tapers off into the basic rum end.

This silky easy rum comes into its personal after a minute or so within the glass, and must be first sampled neat to permit the rum to disclose its true attribute and provenance.

It may be loved neat as a sipping rum, or over ice, equally it may combine a shocking modern tackle a Manhattan or an Outdated Original.

Color: A wealthy hue of deep mahogany.

Nostril: An attractive bouquet of creamy aromas of vanilla, chocolate, molasses, espresso, spice and oak.

Palate: Filled with toasted bakery like flavours of chocolate, honey, toffee, caramel, espresso, and roasted nuts.

End: Wealthy medium physique.

RUM OLD FASHIONED

RUM OLD FASHIONED INGREDIENTS

• 2 oz Angostura 7-Yr-Outdated or different aged rum
• 1/4 oz wealthy easy syrup*
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• 1 lime

RUM OLD FASHIONED PREPARATION
Mix rum, wealthy easy syrup, and bitters in a mixing glass. Add ice. Stir gently for 30 seconds. Pressure into rocks or Outdated Original glass. Specific a lime peel throughout the cocktail, discard. Garnish with recent lime peel.

Non-obligatory: serve over one massive ice dice.

*My Wealthy Easy Syrup recipe is in my Final Information to the Outdated Original. I like to recommend utilizing Demerara sugar for this cocktail, because it has a better molasses content material that higher enhances the aged rum. As soon as the syrup is made, I like to recommend inserting 1-2 complete vanilla beans (cut up down the center with a knife to show the caviar) within the syrup and permitting it to infuse for just a few days within the fridge for a richer taste.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter obtained a pattern of this product from the model for evaluation. We respect their willingness to permit us to evaluation their merchandise with no strings connected. Thanks.