In the early 1800s, the Dominican Republic was a free nation, a part of the Spanish Empire. At that time, most of the country was still inhabited by indigenous peoples who had no concept of distillation. The circumstances were right for Angostura to be born.
The story of how it got its start is one of the most compelling and colorful in the spirits world. It also contains some surprising twists and turns. If you’re looking for the lowdown on how this little drink grew up to become the global brand that it is today, keep reading.
Where did the name Angostura come from?
The name Angostura is Spanish for “Narrow Straits.” The city on the Caribbean island of Venezuela that was largely responsible for the spread of the name, but the drink was first distilled in what is now the Dominican Republic, also known as Dominican Republic.
The name is a reference to the narrow passage between the two islands, and the sweet rum was made for sailors because it was a better alternative to the harsh spirits they had been drinking on long voyages. It was also a little bit of a taunt – a subtle putdown of the finer products of other nations that were too proud to call themselves a rum, like Irish whiskey. The name also referenced the narrow presence of the Spanish in the area.
What’s the story behind the brand’s roots?
The story of how Angostura started is one of the most fascinating in the spirits world. It’s a tale of ambition, business, betrayal, and war.
Nowadays, the Dominican Republic is best known for its beaches and hot weather. The lush tropical landscape and warm climate attracted many visitors to the country, including businessmen and tourists.
Prior to the 20th century, the Dominican Republic was a Spanish territory, ruled by an imperial power from Europe. The Spanish controlled the production of sugar, but rum production was mostly in the hands of the French.
When the United States gained independence from Great Britain, one of the first things that President Thomas Jefferson did was try to get Spain out of the new nation. Spain’s imperial presence in the new nation was deeply resented. Its sugar interests were another point of contention and President Jefferson believed that America needed to be self-sufficient in sugar. As a result, President Jefferson asked two of his special agents to try to get sugar production up and running in the Dominican Republic. They didn’t succeed.
What did the original Angostura taste like?
Angostura’s original recipe is a closely guarded secret and the basis of all Angostura tastes today. The company doesn’t go into much detail on its website, but the spirit is described as having a “touch of caramel, a little vanilla and a smidge of cinnamon.”
In the early part of the 20th century, Angostura’s taste was described as being one of those flavors that successfully camouflaged itself with the other ingredients in the cocktail.
How did Angostura rum come to be?
In 1824, two years after President Jefferson sent two special agents to expand U.S. sugar production in the Dominican Republic, the company behind Angostura Rum was born.
The company’s story is a lot less colorful than the one behind its name, but it’s still an exciting one.
In 1824, a German entrepreneur named F.G. Wiebe founded a company in the Dominican Republic called Wiebe, Rum and Sugar Co. The company was originally created to mine gold, but when the gold rush was over, it offered locals jobs in the rum and sugar fields. The company soon became a global leader in the rum trade.
What is the story behind the company’s 200-year journey?
From 1820 to 1900, Wiebe, Rum and Sugar Co. was the largest rum company in the world. The company, known as Warner, Wiebe and Company at the time, grew from a few small distilleries in the Dominican Republic to a major sugar and rum company. It owned about 50 sugar plantations and operated more than 100 sugar mills.
What is the future of Angostura?
Angostura is one of the most iconic spirits brands in the world and it’s easy to see why. The brand has been around for 200 years. It’s based in the Caribbean, where many classic cocktails are made with rum.
The company is also very private and doesn’t give too many details about its operations. However, there are plenty of clues as to where it’s heading next.
Bottom line
The story of how Angostura got its start is one of the most compelling in the spirits world. It’s a tale of ambition, business, betrayal, and war.
The drink itself is a little sweet and has a touch of caramel, a little vanilla, and a smidge of cinnamon.
Angostura is a brand that has a lot of heritage and meaning behind it. It’s easy to see why it is a fan favorite.
The future of Angostura is uncertain, but one thing is for sure. It won’t be around for much longer.