View Full Version : Just got back from the DR and visiting with Brugal
It was an interesting trip, which will be written up on my site as well as in Mutineer Magazine.
Got to tour the distillery as well as the aging and bottling facilities and spend some time with two of the Maestro Roneros.
The distillery tour wasn't overly exciting. It's a standard industrial rum operation with 3 column stills producing very light rum with very few cogeners in it. The most interesting part of the distillery tour for me was the information about what Brugal is doing to be more environmentally friendly, including reusing waste from the distillation process to generate fuel for operating their machinery.
The aging/bottling operation was more interesting for me. We got to sample out of the barrels - including some experimental stuff that I'm still waiting on the OK to talk about. It's a truly massive operation. I know it's nothing compared to the scale of Bacardi, but still an impressive sight.
We also got to try the family-only blend, Papa Andre - which is essentially the Brugal Siglo de Oro blend that is then recasked until the family decides it wants more. Delicious stuff.
The family is very proud of their rum - and they should be. They were also rather dismissive of all other Dominican rums - really only acknowledging Barcelo and seemingly unaware of any others.
forrest
10-28-2009, 02:21 PM
Sounds exciting!
i am glad that you had fun, and i look forward to reading about your adventures!
TheRumelier
10-28-2009, 02:22 PM
Matt, where is the distillery located, I know they have a bottling plant in Puerto Plata? Many Dominican rums are a big mystery and little real information is available online.
Matt, where is the distillery located, I know they have a bottling plant in Puerto Plata? Many Dominican rums are a big mystery and little real information is available online.
The distillery is just outside of Boca Chica - about 45 minutes from Santo Domingo, where I stayed for the first two nights.
It's true that the other Dominican rums are a big mystery. The people from Brugal, as I mentioned, admitted to not really knowing of many other rum makers on the island. One person even claimed that they were unaware of any other distilleries being on the island.
They had all heard of Barcelo, but most said that they had only very recently become aware of Matusalem and didn't seem to be able to name any others.
Patapouf
10-28-2009, 02:50 PM
Dood, great post. I always love hearing about Dominican rums. Papa Andre? It's the first I've heard of this one, but then again, it makes sense considering its a family-only recipe. Oh well! :)
I'm wondering, have you ever tried their rum called 'Unico'?
Dood, great post. I always love hearing about Dominican rums. Papa Andre? It's the first I've heard of this one, but then again, it makes sense considering its a family-only recipe. Oh well! :)
I'm wondering, have you ever tried their rum called 'Unico'?
I did get to try Unico for the first time on the island. It's a rum liqueur, not a regular rum. It's actually pretty good. Vanilla and of course rather sweet. I'm not sure what, precisely I would use it for in drinks though. I'd have to spend some more time with it.
TheRumelier
10-28-2009, 03:01 PM
I had a day in Boca Chica once during a rugby tour, had a great time with the local girls who were mainly of Haitian origin!! I remeber lots of beach bars and them closing off the main street at night for the pedestrians. Oh to be young again!!:mad:
Patapouf
10-28-2009, 03:03 PM
Interesting... One of my favorites in my collection is the Legendario Elixir (essentially a rum liqueur). It would be interesting to compare both. If they're similar, I would enjoy it with a little water or an ice cube.
Any idea on pricing in the DR? I'll be there in April. I'm also proud to say the concierge at my resort has already bought me a bottle of Siglo de Oro for when I arrive!! Btmup.gif
Sounds like an amazing trip. Looking forward to reading the article.
RonJames
10-28-2009, 08:36 PM
glass.gifThis sounds like an awesome read, lookin forward to it. There was a member from the DR that was super informative. Think it was JC? He might be able to give you more info if needed. Cheers!
Any idea on pricing in the DR? I'll be there in April. I'm also proud to say the concierge at my resort has already bought me a bottle of Siglo de Oro for when I arrive!! Btmup.gif
I just came back last week from Punta Cana. There I bought Brugal extra Viejo for 12USD, Barcelo Imperial for 25USD and the most important Brugal Siglo de Oro for 80USD which I think is a good deal.
I you are going to Punta Cana, you might want to keep space for a bottle or two until duty free at the airport. They sell great stuff there at reasonable prices (St-James hors d'age, Zacappa 30yo, Botran, Flor de Cana 18yo,...). On the other side, the local rums are way overpriced at the airport.
Dom
Patapouf
10-29-2009, 12:11 PM
I just came back last week from Punta Cana. There I bought Brugal extra Viejo for 12USD, Barcelo Imperial for 25USD and the most important Brugal Siglo de Oro for 80USD which I think is a good deal.
I you are going to Punta Cana, you might want to keep space for a bottle or two until duty free at the airport. They sell great stuff there at reasonable prices (St-James hors d'age, Zacappa 30yo, Botran, Flor de Cana 18yo,...). On the other side, the local rums are way overpriced at the airport.
Dom
Thanks for the info Dom. How was the trip? Unfortunately, There are so many rums I want to bring back, but the government won't allow it! But I do have a few friends/family, that are coming, who can mule some for me. Where there's a will there's a way!
Did you by chance see any of the Unico for sale? Price?
pkazimir
10-29-2009, 12:40 PM
I just came back last week from Punta Cana. There I bought Brugal extra Viejo for 12USD, Barcelo Imperial for 25USD and the most important Brugal Siglo de Oro for 80USD which I think is a good deal.
I you are going to Punta Cana, you might want to keep space for a bottle or two until duty free at the airport. They sell great stuff there at reasonable prices (St-James hors d'age, Zacappa 30yo, Botran, Flor de Cana 18yo,...). On the other side, the local rums are way overpriced at the airport.
Dom
You can get a bottle of Siglo de Oro in Higuey for 65 dollars. But its kinda hard to find because usually when they see a tourist style guy entering the shops the prizes raise. Try to have a dominican with you. However 65 or 80 ... that rum is worth it.
Patapouf
10-29-2009, 02:46 PM
80$ is what the concierge at the resort told me it would cost. I figured it would be cheaper if I found it myself, but I'm only there for a week and want to relax. So definitely worth it!
Thanks for the info Dom. How was the trip? Unfortunately, There are so many rums I want to bring back, but the government won't allow it! But I do have a few friends/family, that are coming, who can mule some for me. Where there's a will there's a way!
Did you by chance see any of the Unico for sale? Price?
The trip was very nice. Nice weather and nice people.
Not a sight of the Unico. In fact, I didn't venture in the city. The representative of my travel agency made the buying for me. He might have taken a small tip on that Siglo de Oro. But hey, there's a price to pay when you are lazy ;)
RonJames
10-30-2009, 01:03 PM
When that article comes up don't be quiet about it rumdood, I look forward to reading it.
When that article comes up don't be quiet about it rumdood, I look forward to reading it.
Oh don't worry, I will.
I've been transcribing notes from my voice recorder for most of the day. About 3 hours of audio and some of it is recorded in very loud settings so it's taking time to A) Pull the info and B) Verify it online or on the phone.
Edward Hamilton
10-31-2009, 12:51 AM
The Barcelo distillery was closed for maintenance for several years but is now operating again. There is also a lot of rum being blended in the free trade zone outside Santo Domingo, which is one of the reasons the distillers on the other side of the island don't know much about it.
Very few of the rums that are bottled in the free trade zone are actually available for sale in the DR.
First post about the Brugal trip is up at my site: http://rumdood.com/2009/11/09/visiting-brugal/
Now I just need Silvio to get a computer and post the distillery tour to Refined Vices, and then if I ever finish this article for Mutineer my work will be done.
RonJames
11-10-2009, 06:26 PM
Looking forward to a good read tonight, thanks dood for the article and heads up.
Count Silvio
12-08-2009, 05:29 AM
First post about the Brugal trip is up at my site: http://rumdood.com/2009/11/09/visiting-brugal/
Now I just need Silvio to get a computer and post the distillery tour to Refined Vices, and then if I ever finish this article for Mutineer my work will be done.
Sorry about the delay chaps!
Here you can find RumDood's Brugal article (http://www.refinedvices.com/brugal-is-the-world) on Refined Vices.
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