Lawrenceburg facility officially open

Angostura presents a unique collection

Angostura supports culinary arts in Florida

LAWRENCEBURG FACILITY OFFICIALLY OPEN

 Trinidad, Thursday 13th September, 2007: On Tuesday 11th September, the Lawrenceburg Distillery in Indiana was officially opened by Lawrence Duprey at a gala event at the Dearborn Country Club in Lawrenceburg. 

Over 200 guests attended the event at which the managing director of the facility Rick Brock, gave an overview of the plant and what its capacities are and what the plant will be able to achieve once more business is attained by the company.  Tours of the plant were conducted earlier for the guests so that while he spoke, they had a better understanding of what is achievable by such a vast property. 

Patrick Patel and Curtis Mohammed from the Angostura Group, were on hand to provide an overview of Angostura and the CL Financial Group. They explained the structure of the company and how the new Lawrenceburg facility fits into the entire group structure, much to the appreciation of the many employees who attended. 

Lawrence Duprey portrayed enthusiasm as he addressed the excited gathering.  He explained the group’s strategic and business goals to the employees, community leaders and other business leaders in Lawrenceburg gathered there, while indicating to them that the company will expand in the next 5 years and be able to hire more employees and produce quality products that they will be all proud of, which will be produced right there in Lawrenceburg and exported around the globe. 

He said, “We are looking forward to working with our new associates at the new Angostura plant in Lawrenceburg.  Our group has a policy of investing in people as well as business. It is our hope that we can all grow together for the progress of the community and its people.”

Earlier that day, Lawrence Duprey and Patrick Patel, also executed a purchase agreement for the Charles Medley Distillery in Owensboro Kentucky, which will further increase the company’s portfolio in that part of the world.  The facility there will be producing Kentucky bourbon to be exported internationally, in an effort to take advantage of the growing market for Kentucky bourbon in Europe and Asia.

The CL Financial Group is paying more than US$3 million for the distillery and plans to have the facility in production mode within a year.  The company has said it plans to produce about 5 million gallons of bourbon a year there.

Charles W. Medley, a seventh-generation distiller from a family whose whiskey roots date back more than 250 years, opened the distillery -- at least the 59th in Daviess County history -- near Field Packing Co. in northwestern Owensboro in 1997.    It's on property that once housed Medley Distilling Co., a company started by his father and uncles in 1940.  Medley said he will work as a consultant for the new Charles Medley Distillers Kentucky and help get the plant ready to make whisky again. He said he hopes to be distilling again in less than a year.  Bourbon production at the plant -- and in Daviess County -- ended in 1992 and Medley had been working for years to resume distilling at the plant, but the costs were too great, he said. Only bottling is done here now.  The sale includes 23 acres, five warehouses and the stillhouse.

These investments will result in the group being the largest independent alcoholic spirits producer in the U.S. and an integral part of the supply chain for several multinational spirit brands.  Company officials believe the sites in Lawrenceburg  and Owensboro, provide an almost ideal central location with perfect infrastructure and distribution access via road, rail and barge.

For more information:  Giselle West – glarondew@angostura.com – 623-1841 ext. 246

ANGOSTURA AROMATIC BITTERS, THE KICK IN ANY GLASS!

Angostura Limited has been sponsoring the local competition to choose a culinary team and a bartender to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Caribbean Hotel Association’s annual Taste of the Caribbean culinary competition. The company has been the title sponsor of the event since 1999 and also support the team on their international trip.

This is the second year that the company has been sponsoring the Bartender of the Year award at the event in Miami and the awards for the best use of Angostura® aromatic bitters in a cocktail and in a culinary presentation. The best use of bitters in a Cocktail was won by Catherine Niles of Anguilla and the team with the best use of bitters in their culinary presentation was again this year, the US Virgin Islands.

This year, the local team won the title of Culinary Team of the Year for the second year in a row, the first country to ever do so. Raymond Edwards, also achieved the title of Bartender of the year, winning a gold medal (one of only two bartenders from a field of 13 competitors to be awarded gold).

Angostura, with its signature product Angostura® aromatic bitters, which has been enhanceing the flavour of food and cocktails since 1824, is proud to be able to assist the culinary industry of Trinidad and Tobago.

ORANGE BITTERS ANYONE?

Angostura Limited, makers of the world famous Angostura® aromatic bitters, launched its first innovation in bitters for nearly 200 years, this month at Vinexpo in France.

The product has been created for bartenders and mixologists who appreciate the great quality of the famous bitters established since 1824, and who want to experiment with another excellent blend made by Its creators. A blend of citrus essence, oils from bitter and sweet oranges, herbs and spices has produced bitters with a depth of citrus flavour that can transform a wide range of cocktails.

Angostura® brand ambassador, Mickael Perron in Europe said: “Angostura® aromatic bitters is already regarded across the world as the essential bar ingredient. In the world of cocktails, no single flavour has been as versatile as orange, so it’s great news that bartenders will have access to such a high quality orange bitters.

"First impressions of Angostura orange bitters are of a soft aroma of orange and geranium. The first level of flavour is reminiscent of rich, fresh sweet blood oranges with spicy notes of cardamom and coriander. This is followed by a more complex level of dry bitter orange. Clear and with an unparalleled aroma, Angostura® orange bitters is an exotic and versatile bitters that works incredibly well with vodka, gin and whisky, and adds real depth of flavour to rum cocktails.”

Giselle Laronde-West manager corporate communications for Angostura Limited said: “This is the first new bitters product launched by us since Dr Johan G. B. Siegert created the original aromatic bitters in the town of Angostura in 1824. We are confident that experienced bartenders and cocktail aficionados will soon consider it an indispensable ingredient in many of the world’s best cocktails.”

The 10cl bottle retains the famous oversize label of the original Angostura® aromatic bitters, but with a distinctive orange peel design and it will be distributed in Europe initially by August this year .

ANGOSTURA CONGRATULATES CULINARY TEAM

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad , July 17th 2006 - Angostura® aromatic bitters has been the title sponsor of the local culinary and bartending competitions that the Trinidad Hotels and Restaurants Association has been conducting, from its inception in 1997. The company is therefore proud when the national teams do so well at the international event and therefore, took the time to extend congratulations to Debra Sardinah-Metivier and her team of highly skilled chefs and bartender for their achievements in Miami.

A cocktail reception was held in their honour at Angostura's Oak Room on Monday 17 th July. In attendance were, the minister of Tourism, the Honourable Howard Chin Lee, Dr. James Hepple of the TDC, members of the media, the culinary committee which prepared the team for the competition as well as friends and family of the team members.

Gabriel Faria, Angostura's Executive Director – Marketing, stated “ We wish to congratulate this talented team for their achievements in Miami . Angostura is happy to be associated with both the local and international culinary competitions, as they provide the stage on which our signature product – Angostura® aromatic bitters –can shine among the culinary and bartending experts of the world.” He went on to say, “It is also in keeping with our global strategic plans in moving the product forward.”

Elisa Tang Yew and Giselle Laronde-West of Angostura are also part of the committee that plans the local competition, so that the company's contribution is not only monetary, but it provides product as well as professional guidance from its staff.

The company wishes the members of the team all the best for the future, as they individually continue to sustain excellence and build a future for themselves in the culinary arena. To the team that will fill their shoes, Angostura promises to maintain its support of the competition and of the team's participation at the international event.

For further Information, kindly contact:
Giselle Laronde-West
Manager Corporate Communications
glarondew@angostura.com
625-4RUM ext. 246

ANGOSTURA PRESENTS A UNIQUE COLLECTION

Angostura recently launched its international rum range in the United Kingdom – The Treasure Collection. The 5 year old Gold, 7 year old dark and white rums, were received with rave reviews by consumers and members of the trade in general, for its unique taste and packaging.

This collection was adapted after one of Angostura's prized possessions, the Barcant Butterfly Collection, which is featured in the company's museum. Each bottle features one of the butterflies in the collection and as other rums are created in this collection, more butterflies will be highlighted for the world to see.

Under the CL WorldBrands (CLWB) effort, Angostura has been able to use the leverage offered by the many international synergies that have been made over the last few years that CLWB has been in existence. The products were specially created for the appeal of the European market and after significant research in taste profiles, the company has arrived at another collection of rums that the country can be proud of.

Distilled and blended right here in Trinidad , then taken to be refined and bottled in France , the products are truly of international standard. Angostura's technology, coupled with Europe 's marketing knowledge and infrastructure, has shown the international scope of the rums, confirming that CL WorldBrands and its global reach has benefited Angostura and Trinidad and Tobago as a whole. The country will soon be recognized as a premier location for the production of fine rums that transcend the expectations of all who consume them.

This Christmas, a limited quantity of the collection will be made available to the Trinidad and Tobago market, with exclusive retail distribution. It will also be available in duty free at the Airport. Look out for more information in the press.

ANGOSTURA SUPPORTS CULINARY ARTS IN FLORIDA

Florida International University's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management recently received a gift of US$300,000 from the Angostura Group of Companies to be used to purchase and install much needed audio visual equipment for five classrooms in the School's main building on the Biscayne Bay campus.

Presenting the gift to the school's dean Joseph West , was CL Financial Group Executive Chairman, Lawrence Duprey, who said that he was “honoured to have had the opportunity to make the donation that will benefit countless students for years to come.”

Dean West noted that “the addition of the new equipment will enhance the delivery of our academic programs, ultimately adding value to the learning experience at the School.”

In recognition of the gift, the Angostura name will grace the Culinary Lecture/Demonstration Laboratory of the school's Center for Culinary Arts and Management.

Located by scenic Biscayne Bay in a resort-like setting on 200 tropical acres in North Miami , t he School of Hospitality and Tourism Management has maintained a consistent ranking as one of the top hospitality and tourism management programs in the world. Established in 1972 to prepare students for leadership roles in the hospitality/tourism industry, the School's record of excellence has won widespread recognition.

Angostura also holds an annual fund raising fete in conjunction with FIU, to raise funds for scholarships to Caribbean children seeking a place at the university. The sixth one will take place in September this year.

CL Financial is the parent company of the Angostura Limited, which is headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago , West Indies . The C L Financial Group of Companies, guided by Chairman Lawrence A. Duprey, now coordinates an economic entity that ranks as one of the largest in the entire region and holds investments throughout the world. The Group comprises spirits and beverages, food manufacturing, insurance, financial services, real estate development, media and communication, forestry and agriculture, medical services, energy and petrochemicals, manufacturing, trading, distribution and retail, and marine services spanning 26 countries of the Caribbean, Central and North America, Europe Asia, and India.

ANGOSTURA EXPANDS THROUGH BELVEDERE'S MARIE BRIZARD ACQUISITION

French vodka producer Belvedere has said its presence in Western Europe and the US will be strengthened after sealing an agreement to buy spirits group Marie Brizard & Roger International.

Marie Brizard is a public company quoted on the French Stock Exchange and is world renowned for its tradition of quality Wines, Liquers, Cognac, Cocktails and Cordials. Marie Brizard also, through its recent acquisition of William Pitters International, a leading Scotch Whisky Company, now commands the top Whisky position in France .

Belvedere, which is Eastern Europe 's biggest distributor of white spirits, struck a deal to buy a 69.3% stake in Marie Brizard from Duke Street Capital. Belvedere said it would pay the UK private equity group EUR141 (US$167.37) a share. The deal values Marie Brizard at around EUR320m, excluding debt.

Belvedere said it would finance the acquisition through a capital increase to which its key shareholder, Caribbean conglomerate CL Financial, would subscribe, and some debt., with the intention that the overall holding by CL Financial's Spirits group will be increased substantially from its current 25.8% position. At present, CL Financial, through its Spirits Interests, Angostura Limited and CL World Brands, currently own 25.8% of Belvedere.

The CL Financial Spirits Group, boasts a portfolio including Angostura rums and world famous Angostura aromatic bitters, Scotch Whisky producer Burn Stewart Distillers, Hine Cognac and a number of International distribution platforms strategically located throughout Europe , The US, and the Far East . It is expected that this acquisition will further strengthen the global positioning of all the group's brands.

Belvedere's move to buy Marie Brizard comes five months after it failed in its bid to buy Poland 's biggest state-owned distiller Polmos Bialystok. “Marie Brizard is an extremely good opportunity for our Vodka Brands including Sobieski to open up new Markets in Western Europe and the US ” said top Belvedere officials yesterday”

The combined Belvedere and Marie Brizard Group is expected to report turnover of 900M Euros for the financial year ended 2005.

CL World Brands reported that this latest announcement, after the recent acquisitions, reflects the Group's strategy to build a global Spirits group with a strong and comprehensive portfolio of Brands distributed through a first class distribution network and we welcome Marie Brizard, which was founded in the late 18 th century, into our family.

For further Information, kindly contact:
Giselle Laronde-West
Manager Corporate Communications
glarondew@angostura.com
625-4RUM ext. 246

ANGOSTURA PRODUCTS EXCEL AGAIN!

Angostura 1919 was recently granted the Rum of the Year award as well as a gold medal, by "Mundus Vini" - Germany's major International Wine Award body (www.mundusvini.de ) and one of the world's most respected and renowned institutes. 

Other beverages from the CL Worldbrands portfolio that received awards were; Angostura 1824, HINE Antique XO and Bunnahabhain single malt 12 year old all received silver medals while the prestigious HINE rare VSOP also won a gold medal.

Berentzen-Gruppe, a major distributor in Germany , handling the Angostura brands, entered all their wine and spirit brands to vie for an award and the above members of the CL Worldbrands portfolio were the most victorious.

Angostura is proud that their rums are beginning to be recognised in the international arena, and the company continues to make efforts to ensure that they are introduced to as many countries as possible . These awards can only add value to the name Angostura, that had until now, only been synonymous with bitters.

For further Information, kindly contact:
Giselle Laronde-West
Manager Corporate Communications
glarondew@angostura.com
625-4RUM ext. 246