Brugal Rum Recruits Rare Coffee Beans for Latest Release

(Photo: Brugal)

On Tuesday, Brugal Rum expanded its Colección Visionaria series with an ode to Dominican coffee culture. Limited to just 35,000 bottles, the expression is intended as a liquid ritual and collector’s piece wrapped into one.

The spirit was finished in virgin French oak casks seasoned with rare Dominican Arabica coffee beans. The brand says that only 20% of the coffee produced in the Dominican Republic is exported abroad; the rest of that “best-kept secret” is consumed locally, often in gatherings of friends and family dubbed “cafecito.”

Though there’s no direct contact between coffee and rum in Brugal’s process, the liquor is said to boast darkened flavors of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and figs. The expression is bottled at 45% ABV and is slated to hit retailers this month at a suggested price of $100.

Production was overseen by maestra ronera Jassil Villanueva Quintana. Appointed to the position at the age of 24, Quintana simultaneously became the brand’s first female master distiller and the youngest “Master of Rum” in the world.

“Many stories and laughs have been shared over a cherished cafecito in the Dominican Republic. It is these warm moments and nostalgic aromas that we wanted to recreate in Colección Visionaria Edición 02,” Quintana remarked in a news release. “This new rum is a celebration of shared moments and memories, an invitation to enjoy the warmth of good company and the rich, inviting flavors of our homeland.

The release was preceded by Colección Visionaria Edición 01, which incorporated the same cask-toasting technique albeit with cacao beans. The expression earned rave reviews at launch; Christopher Null of Drinkhacker noted that the chocolate influence was light-handed, taking a back seat to hefty flavors of dried plums, allspice and toasted caramel.

We’re eager to see how Brugal’s latest twist on the concept works out. Other brands, notably Quintaliza Tequila, have experimented with finishing alcohol in ex-coffee casks to excellent effect. Done right, the result is neither a liqueur nor an infused spirit, but a nuanced blend that hits just the right subtlety of aroma and flavor.

For more information on the release, find the Brugal website here.

Brugal Colección Visionaria Edición 02, Coffee Tasting Notes, Per the Brand

• Color: Dark golden amber
• Nose: Rich caramel and freshly brewed coffee with layers of dark chocolate and sweet vanilla, accented by subtle smoky hints.
• Taste: A complex blend of spices—cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg—transition into delicate notes of figs and dates, ending with a deep, satisfying coffee flavor.
• Finish: A lingering, smooth smokiness that leaves a lasting impression of balanced flavors.

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