Brugal 1888 Doblemente Aejado Gran Reserva. Brugal & Co., Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic the brand’s flagship premium expression, double distilled and double aged first in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels for up to eight years, then finished in hand-selected Spanish sherry casks for up to six years bridging the Dominican rum tradition with Scotch whisky-inspired cask finishing.

Brugal was founded in 1888 by Andrs Brugal Montaner, a Catalan who emigrated to the Dominican Republic and established a distillery in Puerto Plata on the island’s northern coast. The company remained family-owned for over a century before being acquired by Scotland’s Edrington Group the same company that owns The Macallan in 2008. That connection to Edrington is significant for the 1888: the high-quality Spanish sherry casks used for the finishing period are sourced through the same relationships Edrington maintains for The Macallan, giving Brugal 1888 access to sherry casks of a caliber rarely available to rum producers.

The 1888 commemorates the founding year of the Brugal family’s rum-making tradition. It is twice distilled from Dominican molasses and then undergoes a genuine double-aging process not merely a short cask finish, but sequential multi-year aging in two distinct wood types. The result is a rum that the brand deliberately positions at whisky drinkers: dry, complex, and structured by wood rather than sweetened by added sugar or molasses flavoring. It has a deep amber-red hue and a profile that rewards sipping neat.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Deep amber with rich red undertones. Red and dried fruits raisins, dates, sultanas complement spicy woodiness with hints of cinnamon. Toasted charred oak, honey, and a touch of gentle smoke. Roasted coffee and vanilla bean with leather.
• Palate: Well-rounded and smooth with body and character. Toffee and vanilla balanced with peach, cocoa, and cloves. Buttery with butterscotch, Demerara sugar, manuka honey, and wafts of wood smoke. The sherry cask influence brings dried fig, nuts, and roasted coffee beans.
• Finish: Remarkably long-lasting and elegant. Honey and toffee apple with salty butter. Spice and fruit in harmonious balance with a kick that demands respect.

Specs

• Distillery: Brugal & Co., Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (est. 1888)
• Owner: Edrington Group (also owns The Macallan)
• Style: Double-Aged Dominican Rum
• Base: Dominican Republic molasses
• First Aging: Up to 8 years in American white oak ex-bourbon barrels
• Second Aging: Up to 6 years in Spanish sherry casks (Edrington-sourced)
• Distillation: Double distilled
• ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What does Brugal 1888 taste like? Red and dried fruits raisins, dates, sultanas with spicy woodiness, charred oak, honey, and smoke on the nose. The palate is smooth and rich with toffee, vanilla, peach, cocoa, butterscotch, and Demerara sugar with sherry cask dried fruit. The finish is long and elegant with honey, toffee apple, and lingering spice.
• What is double aging? Brugal 1888 undergoes two sequential multi-year aging periods in different cask types up to 8 years in American oak bourbon barrels, then up to 6 years in Spanish sherry casks. This is a genuine double-aging process, not just a brief cask finish.
• Why does the Edrington Group connection matter? Edrington also owns The Macallan, which uses some of the world’s finest Spanish sherry casks. Brugal’s Edrington ownership gives the 1888 access to high-quality sherry casks of a caliber rarely available to rum producers, directly influencing the rum’s dried fruit and spice complexity.
• Is Brugal 1888 good for whisky drinkers? Yes it is specifically positioned at whisky drinkers. The double-aged, sherry cask-finished profile is dry and oak-structured rather than sweet. Fans of sherry-influenced Scotch like The Macallan or Glenfarclas will find familiar flavor reference points.
• Should I drink Brugal 1888 neat or with ice? Best neat at room temperature to fully appreciate the aromatic complexity. If you prefer ice, a single large cube is recommended it opens up the caramel and vanilla notes as it dilutes. Brugal also recommends warming it in the hand before drinking.

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