ANGOSTURA Ltd has introduced limited-edition, artistic packaging for its premium rum, Angostura Founders Reserve 1824.
In a news release on December 24, Angostura said the limited-edition packaging is available in designs from four leading TT artists – Sara Knights, Nicholas Huggins, Shawn Chong-Ashing and Bianca Peake.
The release highlighted Ashing’s and Peake’s contribution who chose to represent dance through the ages with his contribution.
“This design references the smooth flow of the nation’s culture through the depiction of a belé dancer and a masquerader.
“Bianca Peake’s exclusive design pays homage to Trinbagonian identity through her distinctive watercolour artwork, exploring our sense of self as a nation in a declaration of identity through art.”
CEO Ian Forbes said the packaging honours Angostura’s legacy and craftsmanship while embracing modern creativity.
“Each box in this limited-edition release is a collector’s item for both rum enthusiasts and connoisseurs of fine art,” Forbes said.
The limited-edition packaging is available at Angostura Solera Wines and Spirits at M6 Plaza, Chaguanas; Gopaul Lands, Marabella; Albion Energy Plaza, Port of Spain; Angostura’s head office, Laventille and East Gates Mall, Trincity. It will also be available in duty free stores from next week.
My One Only singer and recently-appointed NCC commissioner, Imran “GI” Beharry is taking his fiery love song to heart as the three-time Chutney Soca Monarch signed on as the official brand ambassador for the House of Angostura.
In a media release on December 17, The House of Angostura announced it’s pleasure with “the signing of acclaimed Trinidad and Tobago artiste GI as an official brand ambassador for The House of Angostura”.
The release said, “this partnership brings together two powerful symbols of TT’s creative and cultural identity” and added that “GI is known for his dynamic stage presence, authentic storytelling, and deep connection to Caribbean culture and will represent The House of Angostura across select brand engagements, consumer experiences and cultural moments, reinforcing the brand’s enduring commitment to local talent and cultural expression”.
Over the years, GI has carved out a distinctive space within the local and regional entertainment landscape. His music, performances and persona reflect confidence, craftsmanship, and originality – values that align seamlessly with The House of Angostura and its portfolio of premium brands, the release said.
From left, acting CEO Ian Forbes and chutney soca singer Imran “GI” Beharry show signed agreements together as GI becomes Angostura’s newest brand ambassador at the House of Angostura on Eastern Main Road, Laventille on December 16.
Commenting on the partnership, acting CEO of Angostura Holdings Ltd Ian Forbes said, “At The House of Angostura, our brands are deeply rooted in culture, heritage and authenticity. GI represents the modern expression of Caribbean creativity – bold, confident and grounded in who we are as a people. We are pleased to welcome him as an ambassador for the House, and we look forward to working together to meaningfully connect our brands with consumers through culture-led storytelling and experiences.”
The collaboration forms part of Angostura’s broader strategy to engage cultural leaders who authentically embody the spirit of the brand while helping to bring premium rum culture to life in relevant and contemporary ways. Through this partnership, Angostura said, “GI will play a key role in elevating brand experiences and celebrating moments where music, culture, and premium spirits intersect”.
Enthusiastic about the partnership, Beharry added, “The House of Angostura is a brand that represents legacy, pride and TT excellence on a global stage. This partnership feels natural to me because it reflects who we are and how far our culture can travel. I’m proud to be aligned with a brand that has stood the test of time while continuing to evolve.”
For more info visit: www.angostura.com or follow @gi_musictt on social media
Five electrical graduates are on course to work for Angostura for two months at the start of the new year.
They were chosen from among 30 who completed a nine-week electrical programme funded by Angostura, and conducted in collaboration with the NESC Technical Institute (NESC-TI).
The customised programme – Wired for Success – focused on residential electrical installation with commercial applications.
Angostura received approximately 600 applicants for the programme, days after it was first advertised, on September 30, for people interested in a career in the electrical field. Thirty participants from communities across the country were selected.
On completion of the programme, the five participants were selected for on-the-job training at Angostura as of January. This opportunity will allow them to apply their newly acquired skills in a dynamic, industry-leading environment. It is our way of supporting their transition into the workforce while investing in the next generation of electrical professionals.
A graduation ceremony was held on December 17 at Angostura where participants received an NESC-TI certification aligned to Caribbean Vocational Qualification.
Angostura Holdings chairman Gary Hunt said, “Our aim is to provide real-world, job-ready skills that open doors. Through programmes like Wired for Success, participants have not only built technical capability but have also developed responsibility, confidence, and the professional readiness needed to succeed in a growing field.”
NESC-TI president Kern Dass said, “Wired for Success is a powerful example of the impact achieved when industry and NESC-TI collaborate. We are proud to partner with Angostura® in delivering industry-relevant training that equips participants with practical, job-ready skills and prepares them to transition confidently into the workforce.”
The Wired for Success programme focused on safety, practical skills, and industry-relevant competencies. Participants were trained in lock-out/tag-out safety procedures, electrical laws and circuit analysis, code compliance, conduit bending and installation, and the use of electrical testing instruments to ensure safe and effective operation.
They also benefited from an expanded curriculum that introduced them to commercial electrical applications, including foundational knowledge of splitter units used in apartment and multi-unit buildings — giving trainees a competitive edge as they enter the workforce.
ANGOSTURA CHILL is upsizing in time for the holiday season, with multi-serve glass bottles following strong consumer demands.
In a media release on December 9, Angostura said its 750ml Big Chill glass bottles can be enjoyed in two flavours – Angostura Chill Sorrel and Bitters and Angostura Chill Pear and Bitters.
Angostura said this new increased size is designed to bring even more refreshment to Christmas gatherings, family celebrations, and holiday traditions across the country.
“Globally, Angostura is the only company producing carbonated soft drinks using its world-renowned Angostura aromatic bitters. This gives Angostura Chill a unique and distinctive flavour. Angostura continues to push boundaries in the non-alcoholic beverage category with the introduction of the Big Chill.”
Angostura’s acting CEO Ian Forbes said, “With the strategic expansion of the 750ml Big Chill, Angostura is not just offering a multi-serve bottle, we are setting a new benchmark for festive refreshment in TT. It is a bold step that reinforces our innovation within the carbonated soft drink category that is bitters-based while responding directly to our consumers.”
Angostura said whether poured over ice, garnished cocktail-style, or enjoyed straight from the bottle, Angostura Chill complements any occasion.
The Angostura Chill range has five flavours – Lemon Lime and Bitters, Blood Orange and Bitters, Sorrel and Bitters, Ginger and Bitters and Pear and Bitters. They are available in cans and glass bottles and sold at retail outlets throughout the country and at the six locations of Angostura Solera Wines and Spirits.
Angostura Chill is exported to the Caricom markets including Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia and St Kitts, with Angostura expanding its footprints in the non-alcoholic beverage sector across the Caribbean.
In TT, Angostura Chill is distributed exclusively by Caribbean Bottlers.
Big Chill is available at Angostura Solera Wines and Spirits at M6 Plaza, Chaguanas; Gopaul Lands, Marabella; Albion Energy Plaza, Port of Spain; Angostura’s head office, Laventille; East Gates Mall, Trincity and other retail outlets.
ADDING to its long list of accolades, Angostura has received 20 awards from the World Spirits Award 2025, International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), the Spirits Business Rum and Cachaça and Liqueur Masters 2025.
The brand’s premium rum ranges received seven medals at the World Spirits Awards held in Germany, with Founders Reserve 1824, Tamboo Spiced rum, and Grand Reserve 1919 receiving gold among others.
Angostura also received the classification of world-class distillery after an assessment of 13 distilleries.
At the IWSC, six awards were won after rounds of blind taste-testing and assessment by around 200 judges.
The Spirits Business awards also recognised the company with three gold and two silver medals for excellence in rum production, while Amaro di Angostura earned gold at Liqueur Masters 2025.
The company earned $757 million in revenue and a $145 million profit before tax for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025. Its profit after tax increased by 10 per cent from the previous year, amounting to $104 million,
“To earn these international awards among such a distinguished field is evidence of Angostura’s over 200 years of craftsmanship, innovation and dedication to excellence,” said CEO Ian Forbes in a December 3 media release.
“It reinforces our global appeal and the growing prestige of our brands’ iconic heritage. These results highlight Angostura’s ability to compete and stand out among the world’s finest rum producers.”
POLICE are searching for three bandits who robbed an Angostura employee minutes after she left work, but were still “kind” enough to return her ID and debit cards after she asked for them.
Around 7.15 pm on November 27, the 25-year-old woman exited the Laventille compound and walked to the Priority Bus Route opposite the Vehicle Maintenance Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (VMCOTT) to get a maxi.
On the way, she passed three men, one of whom was riding a black and white bicycle.
While waiting for a maxi, the men walked up to her and one of them held her from behind and put a curved knife to her throat. They demanded she give them all her belongings and, fearful for her life, she complied.
The men stole her black handbag, her Samsung S23 Ultra phone worth $5,000, her work cell phone and $700 cash.
Two of the men climbed an embankment next to VMCOTT and ran off into a bushy area. The woman begged the man on the bike to return her ID card and bank cards which were in a red pouch in her handbag.
The man took them out and calmly gave them to her before riding into the nearby Fernandes compound and escaping. PC Cyril of the Besson Street Police Station has been assigned to investigate the theft.
Police are also searching for two men whose robbery of a hardware store earlier that day was thwarted by noisy employees.
Around 10.10 am the owner of the hardware store along the El Socorro Main Road was conducting sales when a black Nissan Note parked on the compound and both suspects got out. The men, one armed with a gun, ran inside the business and announced a robbery.
They pushed the owner to the ground, snatched a gold chain from his neck and began ransacking the store.
However, several workers who realised what was happening, began shouting and raised an alarm. Both men ran out the store, got back into the car and drove off.
The victim told police no cash or other valuables were taken from the business. PC Ball is continuing enquiries.
ANGOSTURA continues to explore opportunities to enhance its global brand as it has launched a bold campaign in New York, celebrating the company’s iconic bitters and world-renowned rums.
Designed to increase brand awareness, the comprehensive campaign is being rolled out throughout November.
This includes major large format placements on a billboard, digital kiosks and hand-painted wall in Williamsburg and Lower Manhattan. These areas were chosen for their strong cocktail culture and proximity to high-foot-traffic areas, on-premises accounts, and public transit.
In August, Angostura rums and bitters took centre stage in Times Square, New York City, one of the most iconic advertising locations, as its products lit up in a 15-second advertisement running in a continuous loop.
The current campaign in New York focuses on Angostura bitters range and marks a significant step in the company’s accelerated growth strategy within its largest international markets.
The New York City campaign is being driven by an Angostura bitters-led theme, “Inspiring Cocktail Creativity”, to elevate everyday drinks into crafted cocktails. The US is Angostura’s largest international market, and the company is expanding its footprint throughout the country.
Angostura advertises on a digital board in New York.. –
Angostura’s acting CEO Ian Forbes said, “This campaign represents an important time for the Angostura brand in the US as our goal is to deepen visibility, strengthen relevance with our consumers, and highlight how Angostura bitters transform mixology – whether at home or behind the bar.”
“By amplifying our presence in New York, Angostura is reinforcing its international expansion. The company will continue to pursue high-impact opportunities across global markets, ensuring its iconic bitters and rums remain essential to cocktail and culinary cultures worldwide. Our products are available in over 170 markets.”
Angostura commercial manager Leesha Alexander recently spoke to TV6 about expanding the company’s footprint.
“We’ve been able to show up in a grander scale outside of TT as well,” she said.
She said the company has featured its products in Greece, UK and New York.
“We are also waving that flag for Angostura and TT, just really focusing on innovation – very important part to our strategy.”
She said an Angostura brand ambassador recently visited Easter Island, a remote volcanic island, renowned for its archeological sites, in Chile.
“Even though we don’t have a direct trade with Easter Island, the product is available at the bars out there. We continue to promote the distribution of our products We are at most major markets where the product is allowed.”
Forbes said bitters has blazed a trail and opened markets for Angostura’s premium rums.
“Our premium rums are in approximately 60 countries around the world, and there is the opportunity now to follow the part blazed by Angostura (bitters)..It’s a tag-team arrangement where Angostura opens the markets for our premium rums to follow.”
INDEPENDENT Senator Francis Lewis has questioned the $1 billion in revenues anticipated by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo in hiking excise duties on rum, beer and tobacco products.
Lewis was speaking in the Senate on October 29 in debate on motions to confirm the Excise Duty (Tobacco Products)(Amendment) Orders, the Excise Duty (Alcoholic Beverages)(Amendment) Orders, and the Customs (Import Duty)(Caricom)(Amendment) Order, 2025.
He recalled that once in a trade war dubbed the beer wars, one company had dropped the price of a bottle of beer from $3 to $1.99 (a 33 per cent drop) and in doing so had garnered a 45 per cent rise in sales.
Lewis used this example to question the belief that the amount of consumption of alcohol and tobacco would be unaffected by price changes, a concept known as price in-elasticity. “The market is not as inelastic as we think. Assumptions about taxes can be wrong.”
Lewis shared his anecdotal views in the proposed price hikes based on his talks with people in the sector in which he declared he has worked as a consultant to local manufacturers of beer and rum. “Don’t go too far, too fast, nah. You can trip us up,” he recalled one businessperson saying.
Saying the alcohol and beverage sector was very significant in Trinidad and Tobago as “a major player,” he added, “Our companies are the envy of other places.”
Mulling the effect of excise hikes on local businesses, he said, “They are very resilient, but let us be conscious of what this does to them as a business.”
Lewis estimated 100,000 people are employed in the food and beverage sector, including 35,000 in small bars and shops where alcohol was two-thirds of their products.
He said TT has several thousand rum-shops, including many which operate only on weekends, with a high impact on employment in TT. Lewis quoted one bar owner explaining his business. “Beer pays the bills. Rum pays for my family to live.”
He said the impact of the excise hike plus any general uncertainty can really hurt the sector. “Many are still in covid recovery mode. One might be holding on by the fingernails. People are still recovering, and any shift in revenue needs to be considered with that in mind.”
Lewis related the plight of business people who lamented to him they had already sold tickets for all-inclusive events for Carnival 2026 for which they had done calculations without knowing of the new hike in alcohol excise rates. Of the price hikes, he said, “The expectation is that it will impact the revenue earned in the establishment.”
He said he sensed that operators would have liked the government to have consulted them first, out of the glare of the public spotlight.
Mulling employment with the alcohol beverage sector, he recalled it from his day in the industry as being 600 jobs at Carib Brewery, 550-600 at Carib Glassworks and 400 at Angostura.
He remarked, “If our actions create uncertainty, it doesn’t bode well.”
Lewis said a regional maker of a vodka-based beverage had found a way into the TT market without attracting tax. “Their margins are significantly higher than the locally-based product.”
He quoted a view among the local beverage sector. “The comment is ‘Don’t kill the goose that lays the golden egg’.” Lewis hoped local beverage operators could have a strong last quarter to the fiscal year, to help them have a good first quarter in the next fiscal year.
He said if businesses felt supported, it would ultimately help the government, but conversely if businesses were holding back it would not be good for TT.
After senators spoke, the Senate passed all of the government’s proposals to raise excise rates on various alcohol and tobacco products.
ANGOSTURA Holdings Ltd has reported $757 million in revenue and a $145 million profit before tax for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2025.
Profit after tax stood at $104 million, a 10 per cent increase from the previous year. Total assets increased six per cent year-over-year to $1.9 billion, with a low debt ratio of 0.16.
Earnings per share also increased from $0.46 to $0.51
With a 182 per cent increase in Branded Rum sales and an eight per cent increase in Angostura Chill sales,the company’s international segment has grown by 18 per cent year-over-year. Export now makes up 45 per cent of total group revenue.
Angostura also recorded a three per cent domestic growth. In its Summary Consolidated Financial Statements for the nine months ended September 30, Angostura said this was driven by the launch of several ready-to-drink products.
Results from operating activities also saw an increase from $113 million to $124 million. Finance income increased by 42 per cent, fuelled by strong returns from US dollar investments, the company said.
Recently appointed Angostura chairman Gary Hunt said, “As we look ahead to the final quarter of 2025, we remain focused on sustaining long-term growth in revenue and profitability. We are energised by the opportunities that lie ahead and remain committed to maximising shareholder value through innovation, expansion, and operational excellence.”
Hunt, a former sports minister, was appointed to the Angostura board in August along with attorney-at-law Patricia Dindyal; founder of SM Group International Ltd, Shival Maharaj; former Massy Integrated Retail senior vice president, Roxane De Freitas; and current chairman of Colonial Life Insurance TT Ltd, Jennifer Fredrick.
Their appointments came after six of the company’s former directors resigned in June, and in the absence of a board, Angostura could not approve the final dividend of $0.28 per share, which had an original payment date of July 31, 2025.
In the first quarter of 2025, Angostura recorded a $33 million in profit before tax and surpassed a billion dollars in revenue for the financial year ended December 31, 2024.
LOCAL beverage giants Carib Brewery and Angostura have announced sharp price increases across their alcoholic portfolios, following the government’s decision to double excise duties on spirits, beer and tobacco in the 2026 national budget.
Finance minister Davendranath Tancoo, in his October 13 presentation, revealed that excise on spirits has increased from $79.25 to $158.50 per litre of pure alcohol, while beer duties rose from $5.14 to $10.28 by gravity.
Cigarette excise doubled from $5.26 to $10.52 per pack of 20, effective immediately under Legal Notice No 376.
Excise duty is a tax charged on goods manufactured within a country and payable when those goods leave bonded warehouses for sale on the domestic market.
By contrast, customs duty is applied to imported goods when they enter the country.
As a result, excise increases directly affect local manufacturers such as Carib Brewery and Angostura before similar adjustments appear on imported products.
Customs duty changes on imported alcohol are expected later, pending review by the Solicitor General’s office.
Carib Brewery announced on October 16 that its new prices would take effect immediately, describing the changes as a “responsible and measured response” to the government’s move.
“While this change affects some of our beverages, we have worked diligently to keep prices as low as possible, and are only adjusting prices where absolutely necessary,” the company said in its statement.
The company confirmed that its suggested retail prices for Carib, Stag and Pilsner have risen to $13 per bottle, from about $10 previously.
The suggested retail price for Royal Extra Stout is now $15, up from just under $10, while Heineken and Guinness are now both priced at $22, up from a previous suggested price of just under $16.
Non-alcoholic drinks such as Malta and Shandy are now $10, previously $7.50, but there are no changes for Smirnoff Ice, Caribe Hard Cider, Vitamalt, Ginseng-Up, Smalta, Rockstone Tonic Wine, or Heineken 0.0.
Carib said it aimed to “balance economic reality with our responsibility to customers and consumers,” adding that it would continue to invest in “our People, Brands, Infrastructure and Country,” while maintaining product quality and accessibility.
At the same time, Angostura announced that its new prices would take effect on October 17, one day later.
In its statement, the company said it had “absorbed increases in input costs through improved productivity, energy efficiency and innovation” in previous years, but that “this recent increase in excise duty now requires price adjustments to ensure business continuity and the continued employment of our workforce of over 537 citizens.”
A slow day for Shy’s Bar at Point-a-Pierre Road, San Fernando, on October 16.
Angostura said it “fully supports the Government’s efforts to strengthen fiscal sustainability and national development,” and reaffirmed its commitment to “maintaining the world-class quality of our rums and bitters, supporting our local economy and supply chain, and promoting Trinidad and Tobago’s brands in over 170 international markets.”
According to its new price list, a 750ml bottle of Angostura 1919 now carries a suggested retail price of $349.99, up from $299.99. The 750ml White Oak is listed at $154.99, while the 1.75L size is $334.99.
Forres Park Puncheon, one of the best-selling overproof rums, has increased to $549.99 for the 1.75L bottle.
Premium labels such as Angostura 1824 now retail for $424.99, Angostura 1787 Fifteen-Year-Old for $459.99, and Angostura Symphony for $544.99.
When Newsday visited several bars in San Fernando and Port of Spain on October 16, most had not yet adjusted their retail prices, as they were still selling from stock delivered before Carib Brewery’s announcement.
Bar owners said they expected increases once new supplies arrived.
At Edge Restaurant and Bar on Keate Street, a patron from La Romaine criticised the timing of the increases. “My opinion is they should have leave the price. It already hard.
Plenty people get fired for the year already, so people kinda hard-up for money right now. That’s why people turning to illegal activities. So anything raise, to me, is a problem to the people. The rich don’t feel it – it’s the poor,” he said.
Another patron, Richardson, added, “I find they have no right to increase alcohol because remember some people not working no where and they have no income.”
At Shy Bar on Pointe-a-Pierre Road, Chantelle John, from south Trinidad, said she expected the increase to be minor.
“Dat is nothing. It don’t matter. I will still buy my beers. Many people complaining but not me,” she said.
Patrons enjoy drinks at Fond Bar in Vistabella on October 16
While John speculated that the increase would be “only by a dollar or so,” Carib’s listed retail price for its flagship beer has risen from $9.60 in August 2024 to $13.00, effective October 16 – an increase of more than 35 per cent.
Another customer at the same venue said the increases would change social habits: “People will stop calling ‘a rounds’ and instead buy for themselves only.”
A pensioner, also interviewed at Shy Bar, said he manages his alcohol consumption within a fixed budget.
“I’m not an alcoholic for one. And two, I only have beers when I get my little pension.
“Whenever I get my money, I have my entertainment money, I have my groceries money, I have my bills money. Entertainment money mustn’t clash with groceries and bills money. And that’s the mistake many Trinidadians make,” he said, adding that he would reduce his consumption if necessary.
Some view the excise duty increase as one of the most consequential fiscal measures in the 2025/2026 budget.
Tancoo said the move was intended to “improve revenue collection and promote responsible consumption,” noting that the last major revision to alcohol and tobacco duties occurred nearly a decade ago.
Consumers are expected to feel the full effect of the price hikes within days as bars deplete existing inventory.
Both Carib Brewery and Angostura have said they remain committed to supporting the local economy, protecting employment and maintaining product quality despite the new tax burden. (With reporting by Innis Francis)
THE Angostura board has appointed Ian Forbes to act as the rum and bitters maker’s chief executive officer.
In a notice on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange website on October 2, the Gary Hunt-led board said the appointment was approved at a board meeting on October 1
Forbes, the company’s chief operating officer, will act as the CEO of Angostura Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries with effect from October 1 for six months, in addition to his substantive duties.
The board also approved the immediate cessation of the interim arrangements for the day-to-day management of the company’s operations, in the absence of a CEO.
On August 6, Angostura appointed the following directors:
AS part of its continuous global sustainable efforts, rum and bitters maker Angostura has unveiled its new premium rum packaging.
In a news release on September 20, it said, “Innovation, a pillar of our strategy, is embodied in the redesigned rum packages. This latest launch reinforces our sustainability goals through reduced bottle weight and the use of responsibly sourced paper for labels which forms part of our Environment, Social and Governance strategy.”
The pre-launch, which targeted local business trade partners, was held on September 18 at The Summit in Heartland Plaza, Chaguanas.
The release said, This redesign is a bold new look for our premium rum portfolio and represents a blend of tradition with modern elegance. The redesign packaging covers the full premium rum range – Angostura 15-year-old, Angostura Founders Reserve 1824, Angostura Grand Reserve 1919, Angostura seven-year-old, Angostura five-year-old and Angostura three-year-old.
The roll out, it said, will be done on a tiered basis with Angostura seven-year-old already available in wholesale and retail outlets and the others to hit the local market by October. On the global front, it will be launched by mid-2026 in our key markets which include the USA, UK, Greece, Germany, Baltics and Spain followed by the other markets.
Angostura Holdings Ltd chairman Gary Hunt said, “The redesign is much more than a visual change; it has been thoughtfully developed to enhance brand visibility on shelves and engage consumers with a modern and distinctive appeal. This initiative also reflects Angostura’s dedication to taking meaningful steps toward a greener future – because great rum should leave a positive mark on the world.”
“The new packaging is inspired by the over two centuries of the legacy of blending rum and the cultural richness of Trinidad and Tobago, with vibrant colours at the heart of the new, modern designs.
“It signifies our dedication to incomparable craftsmanship and creativity, with the packaging striking a balance between a contemporary look and protecting what is most valued – our award-winning, prestige rums,” Angostura said.
The release said, “The new layout of the rum bottles showcases the familiar butterfly motif – an icon that has become a hallmark for the brand – which takes centre stage.”
Angostura’s museum has an array of 5,000 specimens of butterflies, that includes almost 700 species found in Trinidad and Tobago.
It added, “The motif has been enlarged on the bottles and is also now incorporated into a unique, colourful design on the seal and closure of the bottles. Whilst the motif’s golden hues pay tribute to the brand’s prestige and underpins the House of Angostura’s dedication to producing premium, quality and innovative rums.
“This launch is a testament to our enduring legacy, our responsibility to the environment, and our unwavering commitment to crafting world-renowned rums that uphold excellence and set the standard for premium rum globally.”
ANGOSTURA honoured over 40 students from over 30 primary schools at its 2025 SEA Champs Ceremony, themed I Am A Reflection of Success.
The company said that the event, held at its Laventille office on July 29, celebrated the students’ academic achievements and resilience.
“As part of our environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, Angostura has historically awarded deserving students from primary schools within its fence line community of Laventille/Morvant.
“This year, the company has expanded its recognition to students from over 30 primary schools across the country to assist them as they begin their secondary school chapter.
“These students were among thousands across the country who participated in the Secondary Entrance Assessment. This award not only celebrates their academic excellence but also their dedication as they embark on their educational journey to secondary school,” a release said.
The students came from the following schools:
Fanny Village Government Primary, Palo Seco Government Primary, Orange Valley Government Primary, Durham Village Hindu Primary, Lendore Hindu Primary, Guayaguayare RC Primary, New Grant Government Primary, Rio Claro Vedic Primary, St Thomas (Mayaro) RC Primary, Santa Flora AC Primary.
South Oropouche Government Primary, Suchit Trace Hindu Primary, Bonne Aventure Presbyterian Primary, Marabella Girls’ AC Primary, Tabaquite RC Primary, Excel Beetham Estate Government Primary, Laventille Boys’ Government, Laventille Girls’ Government, Success Laventille RC, Chinapoo Government Primary, Hockett Baptist Primary, Morvant Epiphany Anglican,
(L-R) Angostura’s Chief Operating Officer, Ian Forbes, Ministry of Education Acting District Curriculum Coordinator for Port of Spain and Environs Patrick Ramdath and Angostura’s Deputy CEO Rahim Mohammed with some of the 2025 SEA Champs. – Photo courtesy Andre Neufville
Morvant New Government Primary, St Dominic’s RC Primary, Lower Morvant Government Primary, Bethlehem Girls’ RC Primary, Bethlehem Boys’ RC Primary, Our Lady of Laventille RC, St Philip’s Government Primary, St Barb’s Government Primary, Malick Girls RC, Rose Hill RC Primary, Patience Hill Government Primary, and Moriah Government Primary.
Lower Morvant Government Primary school Principal Nirmala Maharaj said, “Through the years, Angostura has been a tremendous support to the schools in the Laventille/Morvant area, as well as in Barataria. Consistently, the Angostura team has demonstrated to our students, parents and staff, that they are taking the journey with us, through our achievements and our challenges.”
Guayaguayare RC Primary school Principal Burt Wiseman said, “Angostura, by your generous grant to these students, you have planted a seed that has the potential of creating a lasting impact on all of them. These benefits are not only financial but also psychological. It sends a message to all, that if an institution as big and successful as Angostura is willing to invest in me, then I also have great value.”
The release said Angostura remains dedicated to nurturing talent and reducing barriers to education. Through initiatives like the 2025 SEA Champs, the company reaffirms its role as a proactive corporate citizen making a lasting difference in the nation’s youth.
Angostura’s chief operating officer Ian Forbes said, “We are proud to honour these students’ achievements and provide resources that will help them continue their path to success with confidence. At Angostura, empowering the next generation is a responsibility we hold with great pride. This contribution is a testament to our commitment to support their academic pursuits and inspire excellence.”
Each student was presented with a merit medal and a comprehensive back-to-school package, which included a $1,000 book voucher, a school bag filled with essential stationery items and an eco-friendly insulated water bottle.
Some of the stationery in each school bag included hard cover notebooks; three-subject spiral notebooks; a sketchpad; a Winners graph book; and Oxford Mathematics Geometry set; an Oxford Scientific Calculator; pens; pencils; coloured pencils; highlighters; refill sheets; file folders; a plastic folder; poster paints and paint brushes; a ruler; a sharpener; an eraser; a glue stick; craft scissors; a pencil case; correction fluid; sticky notes and markers.
ANGOSTURA has announced a special meeting of shareholders to elect new directors of the company on August 6.
Shareholders are invited to appoint a proxy to vote in the special meeting of the company.
This comes after multiple executive resignations within the last few months.
Executive manager of local sales Curtis Durity resigned in June 2024 followed by executive manager of human resources Cindy Wilson on December 31.
Former CEO after Laurent Schun’s contract ended January 17, before which he served solely in an advisory capacity from August 2024 after approval from the board of directors to operate from Miami, Florida.
For the first quarter of 2024, the company reported a profit before tax of $33 million, an 11 per cent increase from the $29.8 million recorded in 2024.
Jacko Entertainment Ltd, promoter of the One Caribbean Music Festival, has denied any wrongdoing in its handling of foreign exchange transitions.
On June 4, the company issued a statement saying it was in response to recent public commentary and media reports regarding the financing of the now-controversial festival, which was held on May 31, at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain.
“Jacko Entertainment, as a fully registered and law-abiding entertainment promotion company, conducted all foreign exchange transactions for the One Caribbean Music Festival through legal, regulated, and verifiable financial channels,” the statement said.
“At no time Jacko Entertainment engaged in any form of unauthorised or black-market currency exchange.”
The company insisted that it maintains strict compliance with all laws and regulations governing foreign exchange in TT, including guidelines from the Central Bank.
Several headline acts, including Jamaican dancehall star Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer, did not perform as advertised.
The absence of Kartel and other international acts — including Sizzla Kalonji, Moliy Montgomery and Malie Donn — sparked widespread criticism.
Kartel had cited the promoter’s failure to meet contractual obligations as the reason for his non-appearance.
Kartel was reportedly contracted for US$1.35 million, of which US$950,000 was already paid.
Amid public backlash and speculation, acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin confirmed on June 3 that the Financial Investigations Branch (FIB) is conducting an inquiry into how promoters accessed such large sums in foreign currency.
The Ministry of Finance is also conducting a separate review.
“We have noted the public statements by both the acting Commissioner of Police and the Minister of Finance regarding an ongoing fact-finding review into how promoters accessed foreign currency for the festival,” the statement said.
“Jacko Entertainment welcomes any transparent review conducted within the bounds of law and due process. We remain ready to cooperate with any legitimate inquiry by the relevant authorities.”
The statement highlighted that no formal report or complaint has been made to law enforcement concerning Jacko Entertainment and the transfer of US currency.
It added that all payments made in relation to the festival, including the transfer of funds to Kartel, were done via lawful and traceable banking procedures.
“There is no basis in law or fact for any presumption of wrongdoing solely because a private sector entity successfully accessed foreign exchange through proper legal channels,” the statement said.
“Any investigation must be guided by reasonable and probable cause, not mere assumptions.”
The statement said the public interest is not served by engaging in “a fishing expedition” that targets a legitimate company without any formal allegation or evidence of impropriety.
“Jacko Entertainment is proud of its role in promoting Caribbean music and culture and remains committed to transparency, legal compliance, and excellence in event production,” the statement said.
“We respectfully request that public officials and media outlets avoid speculation that could unfairly damage the reputation of law-abiding entities in the creative sector.”
Ticketing platform Island eTickets has promised to reimburse patrons.
Tickets were sold at various outlets including Solera by the House of Angostura.
Contacted for comment, the company said, “Angostura was not affiliated nor responsible for the production, management and creation of the One Caribbean Music Festival held at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. Therefore, Angostura is not responsible for the refund of tickets to patrons. That is the sole responsibility of the event promoter.”
Despite the fiasco, Kartel — also known as Worl’ Boss, Teacha and King of Dancehall — is scheduled to perform at the St Kitts Music Festival on June 27 at Warner Park.
General early-bird tickets for that event are priced at EC$135 (about TT $337), with VVIP access at EC$650 (TT $1,375) and premium packages reaching up to EC$1,875 (TT $4687).
RAMPS LOGISTICS and Angostura were among those recognised at an award ceremony during the three-day Energy Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain on February 11.
Ramps Logistics won the innovation in technology challenge for the development of Mawi, a generative AI solution for customs brokerage.
Ramps was among five finalists which included Rum and Sargassum which used sargassum-based biofuel for sustainable low-carbon transportation in the Caribbean; Neptune Biosystems which looked at artificial hydroelectric power generation; TOSL Engineering which used low carbon cooling systems to promote energy efficiency; and 3BA Allmanda Enterprise which utilised a solar-thermal-powered dirt battery for power generation and storage.
Angostura won the excellence in corporate governance award, edging TOSL Engineering Services for the win.
MIC Centre for Renewable Energy and Associated Technologies won the award for best social investment project for its programme on apprenticeship training for the German Master Craftsman qualification.
The UN Development Programme’s Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) won the award for best decarbonisation project and CSA Ocean Sciences got the nod for excellence in safety.
CEO Shaun Rampersad said Ramps has been working with Mawi for two years and has trained the programme to extract data and make complicated decisions and classifications to streamline the customs process.
“In TT what our customs professionals do is they classify goods according to the harmonised tariffs to determine what licences and duties are required. What Mawi does, you can take one invoice with 100 items and it extracts every item, runs automated Google searches in the background in milliseconds, looks at the entire global database of that exists from those products, classifies it according to the correct codes and duty rates and puts it all together to submit to the Ascyuda system.
“Things that used to take ten hours with errors are now being done in seconds. It is the power of AI.”
He said the programme was not only designed and trained to handle customs in TT but in the US. He said Ramps has plans to scale up the programme especially since policies imposed by the US president Donald Trump are presenting new opportunities.
“President Trump has removed something called ‘de minimis’ values. If you brought in a shipment from China and it was less than US$800 you didn’t have to do a customs entry before. Now they have to do it. So all of a sudden the US is going to be doing hundreds of thousands of customs entries.
“Hopefully there will be a solution that could do that for them,” he said.
He said the Mawi system is an important example of how people in the Caribbean can use technology to innovate.
“Just like we created a world-class energy industry, there is an opportunity to create a world-class AI technology industry.”
Angostura Holdings Ltd Has announced that CEO Laurent Schun’s contractual term has come to an end, effective January 17. The company made the statement in a notice on January 24.
So the premier alcoholic beverage producers have begun the recruitment process for a new CEO.
“In the interim, the arrangements for the day-to-day management of the operations of the company as outlined in the notice to shareholders published on August 23, 2024 will continue,” Angostura said.
In August, Angostura announced that Schun had been given the approval of the board of directors to operate from Miami, Florida.
Local business operations were managed by chief operating officer Ian Forbes, business efficiency and shared services executive manager Rahim Mohammed and group general counsel/corporate secretary Kathryna Baptiste Asee.
In its financial statements shared in November, Angostura announced it had earned $94.3 million in profit after tax for the year ending September 2024. It was a decline from the year before, when it reported $104.4 million in profits.
The company garnered $679.9 million in revenue last year, as compared to $720.1 million the year before.
It reported a profit before tax of $126.5 million, as compared to $149.1 million the year before.
Chairman Terrence Bharath said in his report that the standard rums segment saw a decline during the first nine months of last year, resulting in an eight per cent decline in the local market, as compared to the same period in 2023.
THE BITTERS made by Angostura Ltd are world famous. That fame looks set to be extended by the company’s recent return to the Chinese market. It’s a sweet move.
On December 20, the Ministry of Trade and Industry announced a $1 million shipment to that country by Angostura under a July 2024 distribution agreement signed with Caribbean Commercial Management (Hangzhou) Company Ltd, a subsidiary of First Caribbean Marketing Company Ltd.
The freight of orange bitters, aromatic bitters and various premium rums adds to $3 million in products which have been sent to China thus far.
“The shipment is a strategic move by Angostura to strengthen trade relations and showcase craftsmanship, quality and the heritage of the company’s products on the world stage,” said Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon in a media statement.
Angostura has exported to China before.
It did so in 2019 but paused before signing this year’s distribution deal, which involves marketing activities.
Aside from the ceremonial sealing of a container in Laventille this month at Angostura headquarters, officials also held a celebratory event at the Embassy of the Republic of TT in Beijing, China, in September.
Still, we toast the company, in operation for over two centuries, for making such moves.
China is one of the largest, if not the largest, alcohol market in the world, with revenues expected to grow to US$385.6 billion by 2027, according to one estimate.
Angostura has a substantial global reputation and already operates in 170 jurisdictions and recently made entreaties to tap into markets in Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, El Salvador, Colombia and Panama.
So it makes sense to head to China, too.
Further, TT must push its non-energy sector. The State has a role in encouraging Angostura, in which it has a stake, to leverage its heritage and history in transforming export possibilities.
That’s one way to encourage economic momentum.
According to the Central Bank, real GDP grew by 1.5 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024, driven by resilience in the non-energy sector.
Unemployment fell from 5.1 per cent to 4.8 per cent in the second quarter of the year.
Entrenching one’s presence in global markets is a must for exporters now, at a moment when the global economic outlook is relatively stable.
The International Monetary Fund projects 3.2 per cent growth for 2024, slightly below the 3.3 per cent recorded in 2023, even amid geopolitical conflicts.
Yet storm clouds loom.
Tariff wars have been threatened because of Donald Trump’s return to the White House and China is a particular bone of contention for the Republican party leader.
In the event of some global trade being stymied, this may turn attention to alternative trade relationships – which could present some companies with fresh opportunities. Angostura must prepare.
However, from the perspective of “soft diplomacy” alone, the move also makes sense.
In this regard, it is a hopeful tonic in a globalised order increasingly under threat.
ANGOSTURA LTD has re-entered the Chinese market with a $1 million shipment to the country under a distribution agreement with Caribbean Commercial Management (Hangzhou) Company Ltd, a subsidiary of First Caribbean Marketing Company Ltd. (FCMC), signed in July 2024.
In a release, the Trade and Industry Ministry said Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon marked the event on December 20 by placing the seal on the container, which held approximately $1 million worth of Angostura orange bitters, aromatic bitters and various Angostura premium rums.
The statement said the shipment adds to a total of $3 million in Angostura goods which have entered the Chinese market under the agreement thus far.
Gopee-Scoon said the event was a momentous occasion for both the company and the country as Angostura expanded reach in the global market.
“The shipment to China is a strategic move by Angostura to strengthen trade relations and showcase craftsmanship, quality and the heritage of the company’s products on the world stage.”
She said the shipment demonstrates the ministry’s support and ongoing dedication to facilitating the growth of exports for local manufacturers.
“With these shipments, Angostura aims to penetrate the cocktail market segments and cement Angostura’s Bitters and rums as a key ingredient in China’s rising cocktail industry. In this regard, both exporter and importer are working together to build exciting activation plans to bring the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago to the people of China.”
Chinese Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires Yang Han said the shipment marked another successful entry of TT’s high-quality products into the Chinese market.
He said, “(The occasion) serves as a perfect gift, in terms of trade co-operation, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and TT.”
Yang said the shipment was the result of persistent endeavour from Angostura, FCMC, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and all other stakeholders involved as well as the successful promotion of products at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) since 2021.
He said it was at the expo that Angostura achieved significant outcomes in product exports, with the July signing paving the way for the trade initiative.
Angostura began exporting to China in 2019, paused in 2022 to evaluate its marketing strategies and resumed in 2024 following the signing of an agreement between Angostura (exporter) and Hangzhou Ltd (importer) for the importation, marketing and distribution of Angostura’s rums and bitters to China.
SOCA artiste Kevon “Yankey Boy” Heath has ended his 14-day hunger strike.
The artiste posted this news on his Instagram page on December 12.
Yankey Boy began the action in protest on November 27 against Jamaican artiste Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer’s pending performance at a One Caribbean Music Festival concert on February 28, Carnival Friday.
In a phone interview on December 13 he spoke about ending the strike and said he wished he could have endured more.
“I believe I reached my max. I almost ended it two days ago, but I said I had to strive for 14 days at least. I pushed myself, pushed myself.
“I realised I have no support, but I did not come into this looking for support. I just wanted to make a stand.”
He added, though, that people 30 and older supported him more.
“I noticed Vybz Kartel did not want to speak on the matter, and I understand, in some type of way, because I believe it is the promoter should be talking and not the artiste.”
Vybz Kartel was in Trinidad and Tobago recently for the launch of his Str8 Vybz rum. Questioned by reporters about his pending Carnival-season performance and the debate surrounding it, Vybz Kartel did not offer a response.
Yankey Boy said he remained hopeful, however, of a change of date or some intervention, either from the government or someone influential.
“I still believe it could happen, but I just could not continue with the hunger strike,” he said.
He added that people were proud of him for taking a stance.
“I am surprised. Some people initially said, ‘Why you doing it? You know you fighting a losing battle.’
“But now they thanking me. It is shocking and overwhelming.”
Yankey Boy said some people believe Trinidadians do not stand up for anything and were afraid of the outcome of taking a stance.
“This is just the beginning. I am starting it and I know someone else might finish it. We have to believe in something.
“Change will come but we have to believe in it.”
Yankey Boy told younger artistes to have no fear,because as long as he was alive, he’d take a stance.
