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Brugal rum to launch new blend of Papá Andrés
Edrington-owned Brugal rum is to release a new blend of Papá Andrés, the most exclusive and precious aged rum from the Brugal family’s private reserve, at the 2015 IAADFS Duty Free Show of the Americas (23-25 March).
Papá Andrés 2015 Alegría Edition – ‘alegría’ meaning joy - marks a new chapter in Brugal’s 126-year history. Papá Andrés was created originally for the Brugal family to enjoy over the past five generations. This is only the second time it has ever been released for sale, giving rum drinkers, connoisseurs and collectors a rare opportunity to savour this ultimate expression of the rum-making art.
The exceptionally smooth, complex and subtly sweeter expression has been matched by the floral decoration on the crystal decanter and presentation box, created by Spanish designer Javier Mariscal.
His joyful, expressive illustrations are inspired by the colour and warmth of Brugal’s home, the Dominican Republic, and its people, capturing the feeling of ‘alegría de vivir’ or joy of living.
Exclusively for this edition, Javier Mariscal has illustrated a collectors’ book, which is included in the presentation box, inspired by his experiences in the Dominican Republic and by his meetings with Jassil, that recounts the story of Papá Andrés and the history of Brugal.
For over 100 years, a limited number of casks containing the Brugal family’s private reserve rum have been in Brugal’s warehouses in Puerto Plata. Once in a while a small portion of this rum is extracted to blend a special limited edition bottling. The cask is then replenished with a selection of that year’s best-aged rums and laid down again.
Traditionally enjoyed only at important family celebrations, this private reserve rum came to be known as Papá Andrés, in honour of the company’s founding father, Don Andrés Brugal Montaner.
Created by master blender ,Jassil Villanueva Quintana, a fifth generation member of the Brugal family, this is a bright rum with a rich golden-amber colour. Papá Andrés 2015 Alegría Edition (40% ABV) is gentle on the nose, with a medley of fruity notes resulting from the marriage of rums aged in different types of oak casks. It offers an elegant and complex aroma, evolving as it settles in the glass, with subtle notes of caramel, wood, dried fruit and a hint of spice. Viscous and silky on the palate, this is a well-balanced rum with subtle, light, sweet notes of vanilla and sherry, and a long, smooth and sophisticated finish.
Juan Gentile, commercial director LatAm & Duty Free Americas, comments: “Papá Andrés is the ultimate expression of Brugal quality, craft and skill − a truly rare and extraordinary rum. By introducing this exceptional super-premium rum to a wider audience, we are changing the way people perceive the category and we are reaching a new generation of luxury spirit consumers. We are particularly proud to unveil Papá Andrés 2015 Alegría Edition, which is the pinnacle of luxury rum from the very heart of the Brugal family.”
Just 1,000 of the Brugal Papá Andrés 2015 Alegría Edition decanters will be produced, priced at US$1,500 each, with all profits going to the Brugal Foundation which was established in 1988 to support development and reduce poverty in the Dominican Republic. It will be available to order from April 2015.
The first edition of Brugal Papá Andrés was released in October 2012.
Brugal is one of the largest international golden rum brands in the world. Brugal - in which Edrington took a majority stake in February 2008 - is the leading rum brand in the Dominican Republic, where it has over 80 per cent market share. Brugal makes its rum traditionally, ageing it in over 200,000 American white oak barrels on-site in Puerto Plata.
23 February 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor
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