Brugal 1888 Double Aged Rum 70 cl (40 Percent)

Product Information

In this piece, wood and coloured smalti come together to honour two treasured vessels that are the heart of creating exacting colours and flavours. The sophisticated sweetness of red and dried fruits, raisins and dates, complement a spicy woodiness, with hints of cinnamon.

Brugal 1888 earned a score of 93 points at the Ultimate Spirits Competition, won a Gold medal at the Global Rum Masters in 2017 in the Gold Rum Ultra Premium category, and received 93 Points by the Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

In this piece, brightly coloured tiled pieces are arranged in a meticulously crafted pattern, showcasing the incredible range and depth of colours one would find at Orsoni’s colour library in Venice, a veritable treasure trove of wooden shelves housing more than 3,500 colours of smalti. The library is where mosaic artists can explore, experiment, and discover new colours and textures that go on to grace some of the most iconic locations in the world. The drip-shaped smalti simultaneously represents molten glass forged by the fierce flames of the Orsoni furnace, where it is later hand-blown into sbruffo, a beautiful thin glass bubble that is cut and fused with 24k gold leaf to create Orsoni’s signature Venetian gold tiles, which encase this very bottle. Founded and continuously operated in Puerto Plata, the Brugal family name is rarely left out of short lists when considering the most renowned rum distilleries in the world. This Brugal 1888 Gran Reserva is no different, and we will be reviewing it here on the following points: Our 'Legacy' theme encapsulates the deep respect for heritage that both Orsoni and Brugal have strived to impart to each successive generation. Each of the four bottles in this represents a unique aspect of the two brands’ legacies, told through the artistry of hand-cut Venetian mosaic. Andrés Brugal Montaner was born in Catalonia, Spain and moved to Cuba in the mid 1800s. While in Cuba, he learned the art of rum manufacturing and brought that experience to the Dominican Republic where he founded a rum distillery named Brugal & Co in 1888. The brand was successful and over the years has expanded to include a number of varieties of their rum.

Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of sipping this special Brugal neat. The rum boasts an exclusively complex taste – its American Oak bourbon past is prominent yet balanced by a slightly sweet and long-lasting finish. Per the recommendation of the Master Ronceros (Master Rummakers) from Puerto Plata, this distinguished rum should be enjoyed not only at room temperature, but at the ambient temperature of the Dominican Republic, around 76°F (24°C). Although springtime Philadelphia can offer some temperate afternoons, it did not quite reach this intended climate. Brugal also suggests allowing this special blend to evolve in the glass as it mixes with oxygen and fluctuates in temperature. I found an initial pour from the 1888’s decorated bottle, resting at a warmer temperature, to emanate the bolder & sweeter aromas of coffee and toffee. As the rum cooled in the glass, the palate tilted towards a more peppery character with bright, citrus notes.

This piece is a heartfelt interpretation of Miguel Ripoll, or Miguelito, as he is affectionately known. A fifth-generation member of the Brugal family and a Maestro Ronero, Miguel has followed in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, presiding over the entire rum-making process, from harvesting and fermenting the sugarcane to distilling and ageing the rum to perfection. Miguel holds a deep understanding of the science and art of rum-making as well as a refined palate for identifying the unique flavours and aromas of each batch. While very adamant about keeping in the spirit of neighborhood camaraderie by encouraging guests to enjoy dinner at any of downtown Napa's impressive restaurants, Arch & Tower's chef Jeff Mosher is presenting some delicious bites that pair perfectly with your selected tastings. Depending on your appetite, you can select from the menu one of four tastings, varying in wines as well as different assortments of food pairings. And we're here to tell you - they're all delicious. You can continue reading through for the full review, or jump to a specific section using the links above.

Brugal 1888 Doblemente Añejado is a truly exceptional rum, produced in the Dominican Republic and combining the rich flavours of bourbon and sherry casks through a double-ageing process. The sugar content of the frozen coconut water ice sphere melts slowly to expertly balance the dryness of our Brugal 1888 rum. Highlighting and bringing the different notes of the white American oak barrels used in the aging process to the fore. A simple yet mouth-watering serve that’s slightly sweetened. Brugal 1888 Rum has a dark, amber hue, along with an aroma of milk chocolate, roasted coffee and dried apricots. The aroma opens up to a full-bodied rum with notes of lush cherries, peach, cinnamon, cocoa, clove, and leads to a toffeed finish. Brugal 1888 earned a score of 93 points from Wine Enthusiast, which said to "enjoy the elongated flavors of toffee dusted with Mexican-spiced chocolate while you can."was the year that Brugal’s founder, Don Andrés Brugal, first founded Brugal & Co. His passion for bringing out the best in every cask and blend has since been passed down through five generations of Brugals, meticulously perfected over time. Brugal has Distilleries in Puerto Plata where the rums are produced. The distribution and marketing offices are located in the capital city of Santo Domingo, and there is also a regional office in Santiago de los Caballeros, the Dominican Republic's second largest city. The company creates several varieties of rum. This bottle holds special importance to Mijares, whose life work has been heavily influenced by his Cuban heritage and his family’s story of immigration – using movement and color in his pieces to embody the rhythm and passion of his heritage. Yes, and they have done so categorically. The taste of the Gran Reserva is complex yet simple. The complexity is derived from all the flavors and notes that can be pulled out when carefully studied. Meanwhile, the simplicity stems from the manner in which all of these different aspects come together as the final product.

The Brugal family has spent over 135 years nurturing the art of rum-making, with each generation of Maestro Roneros adding their own unique touch to the family recipe. The Orsoni family is equally devoted to passing down the torch of tradition. Today’s mosaicist masters are all trained under the guidance of Angelo’s great grandson and mosaic Maestro Lucio Orsoni, who was instrumental in the creation of this very collection. Brugal is enjoyed neat, over ice, mixed with Coca-Cola ("Coke") or Pepsi which is commonly referred to as a " cuba libre" with green sweet lemons or yellow sweet lemons (Lemon dulce) green dragon lemons or yellow dragon lemons (dragón verde or dragón amarillo) or mixed with 7-up or sprite which is commonly referred to as a ‘santo libre’. Some people mix Brugal with fresh fruit juices. It is also usually the main ingredient in Mama Juana which is a drink that is rumored to have qualities as an aphrodisiac.It’s hard to imagine that the 1888 Gran Reserva wouldn’t also pair amicably with some hearty fare borne of the Dominican Republic. The spicy element of this exceptional rum would be perfectly balanced by some salty island specialties such as some tostones or croquetas, especially while waiting on a sancocho to make its way from the kitchen to your beachside table.