🥃 Brugal

If you know rum from Jamaica or Barbados, Brugal is the Dominican counterpart: the best-known rum brand of the Dominican Republic, founded in 1888 in Puerto Plata by Andrés Brugal Montaner, a Catalan. The rum is made from molasses. In February 2008 the Scottish group Edrington bought most of the company. Brugal 1888, released to mark the brand's centenary, is bottled at 40% ABV and matured in ex-American whiskey and sherry casks.

History. Andrés Brugal Montaner came from Sitges in Catalonia; he learned the rum trade in Cuba before settling in the Dominican Republic. Sources differ on when he moved: the company gives 1888, while other authors write about 1897. According to Difford's Guide, Añejo Superior appeared in 1952, Extra Viejo was first blended in 1976, Brugal 1888 was released for the centenary in 1988, and the Único liqueur was created in 1998. In February 2008 Edrington took a 60% stake.

How it's made. According to Difford's Guide, the raw material is molasses from the Dominican Republic. Blanco Especial is distilled twice, and older versions are aged in ex-American whiskey casks. Brugal 1888 is partly matured, according to the same source, in ex-sherry casks as well.

Range. The core line is Blanco, Añejo Superior, XV, Extra Viejo Gran Reserva Familiar and Brugal 1888. Ages are given as ranges; for example, XV is between three and eight years.

Why it matters to you. Names such as 'Extra Viejo' do not indicate a specific age, so check the label for strength and the aging range. In the EU, rum must have at least 37.5% ABV. The WHO reminds us that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.