Many rum producers take a great deal of pride in promoting the bold flavoursome nature of their spirits; the antidote to neutral-tasting vodka if you will. Not Brugal, in fact they go so far as to say that they actively remove much of what is left in other rums, for a “cleaner, less sweet rum”. The extra dry is aged for 2-5yrs before being triple-filtered. Produced in the Dominican Republic since 1888 it also prides itself on using only Dominican ingredients in production.
Brugal Especial Extra Dry
Nose: Light and clean smelling with a hint of toasted marshmallow, and an even fainter hint of pine nuts. Maybe even a whisper of grapefruit peel.
Neat: Rounded and just slightly sweeter than the ‘extra dry’ label would have you imagine. A fair bit of vanilla together with hints of peach juice, lime and coconut. A lighter style of rum, but balanced with it.
Mixing: Although the flavour profile lists some tropical flavours, this is certainly not a boldly flavoured spirit. As such a delicate approach is required to tease out its full potential, of which there is plenty. The classic Daiquiri for instance is solid, and would make for an excellent introduction to the category for it is easy on the palate. Such a hit of citrus is perhaps not the most considered approach to this rum however and it certainly benefits from a more generous measure of sugar than sweeter rums. The signature Pomegranate Bliss (recipe below) counters the harshness of the lime by adding in some basil and pomegranate to the mix and the resulting savoury fruitiness is a treat. In drinks such as the Bacardi Special, the contribution of this rum is in its contrast with the other flavours; here its lightness sits well alongside the botanicals of the gin, both of which are perked up by the fruity grenadine. That combo of herbal and fruity is a real winner against the dryness of the rum. Go too far however, such as mixing it long with ginger beer, or with the dominant pineapple in the tiki classic Honolulu and your drink will be pleasant enough, but a little lacking in depth. Such is the ability of this rum to work with herbal flavours, that the simple mixing with Green Chartreuse and Licor 43 in the Golden Retriever is a surprisingly delicious one.
Signature Cocktail – Pomegranate Bliss
2oz Brugal Extra Dry, 1oz Lime Juice, 0.75oz Agave Nectar, 4 Basil Leaves, 3tbsp Pomegranate Juice
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Brugal Extra Dry is a lighter style of white rum that is nonetheless a worthy contender for the bar. It works particularly well with herbal flavours and offers something different to the signature sweetness of many competitors.
★: Terrible, only drink for a dare.
★★: Meh, not undrinkable but best left alone.
★★★: Reasonable, middle of the road.
★★★★: Tasty stuff, well worth seeking out.
★★★★★: Incredible, booze doesn’t get better than this. You need a bottle in your life.
Review – Brugal Rum
Many rum producers take a great deal of pride in promoting the bold flavoursome nature of their spirits; the antidote to neutral-tasting vodka if you will. Not Brugal, in fact they go so far as to say that they actively remove much of what is left in other rums, for a “cleaner, less sweet rum”. The extra dry is aged for 2-5yrs before being triple-filtered. Produced in the Dominican Republic since 1888 it also prides itself on using only Dominican ingredients in production.
Brugal Especial Extra Dry
Neat: Rounded and just slightly sweeter than the ‘extra dry’ label would have you imagine. A fair bit of vanilla together with hints of peach juice, lime and coconut. A lighter style of rum, but balanced with it.
Mixing: Although the flavour profile lists some tropical flavours, this is certainly not a boldly flavoured spirit. As such a delicate approach is required to tease out its full potential, of which there is plenty. The classic Daiquiri for instance is solid, and would make for an excellent introduction to the category for it is easy on the palate. Such a hit of citrus is perhaps not the most considered approach to this rum however and it certainly benefits from a more generous measure of sugar than sweeter rums. The signature Pomegranate Bliss (recipe below) counters the harshness of the lime by adding in some basil and pomegranate to the mix and the resulting savoury fruitiness is a treat. In drinks such as the Bacardi Special, the contribution of this rum is in its contrast with the other flavours; here its lightness sits well alongside the botanicals of the gin, both of which are perked up by the fruity grenadine. That combo of herbal and fruity is a real winner against the dryness of the rum. Go too far however, such as mixing it long with ginger beer, or with the dominant pineapple in the tiki classic Honolulu and your drink will be pleasant enough, but a little lacking in depth. Such is the ability of this rum to work with herbal flavours, that the simple mixing with Green Chartreuse and Licor 43 in the Golden Retriever is a surprisingly delicious one.
Signature Cocktail – Pomegranate Bliss
2oz Brugal Extra Dry, 1oz Lime Juice, 0.75oz Agave Nectar, 4 Basil Leaves, 3tbsp Pomegranate Juice
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Bruagl Rum is available to buy from Master of Malt
★: Terrible, only drink for a dare.
★★: Meh, not undrinkable but best left alone.
★★★: Reasonable, middle of the road.
★★★★: Tasty stuff, well worth seeking out.
★★★★★: Incredible, booze doesn’t get better than this. You need a bottle in your life.