Brugal brings out the best with Dominican Republic beans

EDRINGTON UK is giving rum fans an early Christmas present this year in the form of a new, limited-edition version of its Brugal brand. 

Colección Visionaria is a range of sipping rums said to have been inspired by the brand’s Dominican homeland. 

The first release, Colección Visionaria Edición 01, Cacao, was matured in casks that had been infused with cacao beans. The process involves toasting virgin European oak casks with the cacao beans – which are native to the Dominican Republic – then removing the beans before filling the casks with the rum. 

Brugal says this process ‘adds a layer of depth and complexity’ to the spirit. 

Created by Jassil Villanueva Quintana, a member of the Brugal family and fifth generation ‘maestra ronera’, or ‘rum master’, the spirit is described as having aromas of hot chocolate, toasted oak, spices and citrus as well as flavours of vanilla, caramel, dark chocolate and dried fruits.

Only four batches of the rum will be released globally, with each bottle including the batch number as well as Quintana’s signature. 

“One of my most cherished childhood memories is walking amongst the cacao trees surrounding my family home,” she said. 

“I remember the lush and green cacao fields, the bittersweet scent of the cacao pods, and the rich aromas of roasted beans. 

“It’s this memory I wanted to recreate with the first edition of Colección Visionaria.”