Angostura

Angostura – Iconic Bitters & Caribbean Rum from Trinidad

Angostura is a name synonymous with cocktail culture worldwide — the aromatic bitters behind the dash in every Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Pink Gin have been produced at the House of Angostura in Trinidad since 1824. The formula is one of the most guarded secrets in the spirits industry, known only to five people. Beyond bitters, Angostura produces a range of award-winning aged Caribbean rums that are exceptional in their own right. Wooden Cork carries the full Angostura portfolio nationwide.

Angostura Bitters

Angostura Aromatic Bitters — The original and still the essential cocktail ingredient. One or two dashes transforms an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Champagne cocktail. The paper label is famously oversized (a production error in 1850 that became a tradition), and the amber liquid inside remains unchanged in formula. No serious home bar should be without it.

Angostura Orange Bitters — A bright, citrus-forward companion to the aromatic. Essential for a dry Martini, excellent in gin and tequila cocktails. Less intense than the aromatic, more versatile for lighter spirits.

Angostura Rum

Angostura's rum program is built on continuous column distillation followed by pot still finishing, aged in American oak ex-bourbon barrels in Trinidad's tropical climate. The accelerated aging from heat and humidity produces remarkable complexity in relatively young rum.

Angostura 1919 — Named for the year the recipe was created, this 8-year rum is the most beloved in the range. Vanilla, spice, and dried fruit — one of the finest aged rums available at any price.

Angostura 1824 — Named for the founding year, aged 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels. Rich, complex, and designed for sipping neat.

Angostura Reserva — A 3-year entry-level rum, smooth and approachable for cocktails and everyday mixing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is in Angostura bitters?

The exact formula is a closely guarded secret known to only five people at the company. What's disclosed: the base is high-proof alcohol infused with a blend of herbs and spices including gentian root (for bitterness), along with botanicals that are not publicly specified. The formula has remained unchanged since the 1800s.

How do you use Angostura bitters in cocktails?

One to two dashes is standard for most cocktails — the Old Fashioned (bourbon or rye + sugar + bitters), Manhattan (rye or bourbon + sweet vermouth + bitters), and Champagne Cocktail (sugar cube + bitters + sparkling wine) are the classics. A few dashes also work in a Sours to add aromatic complexity.

Is Angostura rum different from other Caribbean rums?

Angostura's hybrid production method — continuous column distillation plus pot still finishing — produces a rum that's lighter than pure pot still expressions but more complex than pure column still. Trinidad's tropical climate accelerates aging significantly. The 1919 in particular is regularly cited as one of the world's best value aged rums.