Producer
Brugal
Brugal is a Dominican rum producer founded in 1888, known for a long family tradition in rum production and aging and for premium expressions such as Brugal 1888 and Maestro Reserva.
- Puerto Plata · Province of Puerto Plata / San Pedro de Macorís (production facilities and sites cited in sources) · Dominican Republic
- Since 1888
The story
Founded by Andrés Brugal Montaner in 1888, the company was established after the founder's experiences in Cuba and settled in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Throughout the 20th century Brugal progressively introduced aged rums and iconic products (including Extra Viejo and Siglo de Oro) and in 2008 entered a collaboration/majority arrangement with the Edrington group. In more recent years it has developed premium ranges such as 1888 (launched in 2010 as a doubly aged rum) and special reserves like Papa Andrés.
Production philosophy
Relying on family tradition and careful barrel aging: the house emphasizes selection of local raw materials, wood management and aging processes (including double maturation) to achieve rums with a clean, mature profile.
Territory
Dominican Republic (production sites and aging warehouses mainly in the province of Puerto Plata; distillation plants in San Pedro de Macorís according to technical sources).
Awards and recognition
Brugal 1888 has received, among other recognitions, a gold medal at the New York International Spirits Competition (2021). The Papa Andrés reserve has been cited as 'World’s Best Super Premium Rum' (noted in official brand materials).
Production method
According to official and technical sources, Brugal uses molasses from Dominican refineries, which is diluted, fermented with a proprietary yeast strain for about 40–48 hours and then distilled using a two-column system (the first column operating under reduced pressure/vacuum). The first distillation produces a very high-proof spirit that is reduced and redistilled to obtain a very light distillate (up to 94.6% ABV), then diluted, aged and blended.
Distillation
Column distillation with two columns: first column operated at reduced pressure to produce a rough spirit (around 90% ABV), followed by redistillation to very high strength (up to 94.6% ABV) to obtain a light spirit; process described as double column distillation.
Ageing
Aging in casks with management of blends for variable periods (minimum 1 year up to several years); some expressions use double aging (aging in ex-bourbon barrels followed by finishing/aging in sherry casks). Barrels are selected by the Maestros Roneros and re-assembly/re-casking is used for premium reserves.
Characteristics
- Type
- Producer
- City
- Puerto Plata
- Categories
- rum
- Dominican rum
- aged rum
- premium rum
- rum for cocktails
- Raw materials
- molasses from sugar cane (sourced locally in the Dominican Republic)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- ex-bourbon barrels (American oak)
- ex-sherry Oloroso barrels (European oak / Jerez)
- Pedro Ximénez casks (for some expressions)
- Representative products
- Rhum Brugal XV Reserva Exclusiva 70cl
- Rum Andrés Brugal 70cl - Brugal
- Rum Andrés Brugal Edition 2 70cl - Brugal
- Rum Brugal 1888 Gran Reserva Familiar - Brugal
- Rum Brugal Añejo - 100cl
- Rum Brugal Blanco Especial 100cl
- Rum Brugal Blanco Supremo - 100cl
- Rum Brugal Extra Viejo - 70cl
- Rum Brugal Extra Viejo - 70cl - DAMAGED LABEL
- Rum Coleccion Visionaria 01 70cl - Brugal
- Rum Coleccion Visionaria 02 70cl - Brugal
- Rum Maestro Reserva 70cl - Brugal
What makes it distinctive
- Founded in 1888 by Andrés Brugal Montaner; long-standing family tradition.
- Official and technical sources indicate exclusive use of selected Dominican molasses for production.
- Documented production process: 40–48 hours fermentation and two-column distillation with double distillation to high strength.
- Pioneer in the Dominican Republic in barrel aging (early use of oak barrels in the 1920s) and promoter of double-aging expressions (e.g. Brugal 1888).
- In 2008 a collaboration/majority stake with the Edrington group began; production and aging remain in the Dominican Republic.
Products from Brugal
Full collectionThere are currently no products available from this producer.