Dictador unveils 2 Masters Niepoort release

Colombian rum brand Dictador has partnered with historic port maker Niepoort for the latest release in its exclusive 2 Masters series.

Dictador 2 Masters Niepoort is the ninth release in the series of limited-edition, ultra-premium rums, created by Dictador master blender Hernan Parra, and is believed to be the first release to date combining rum and port.

It saw four Dictador vintage rums - 1971, 1974, 1978 and 1980 - handed to renowned Portuguese winemaker Dirk van der Niepoort, the fifth generation of his family to produce port in the Douro Valley, for a finishing period in selected wine casks. 

Tasting notes supplied by Dictador say the new rum has aromas of leather, cherries, dark chocolate, cola, marzipan and espresso, notes of coconut husk, bitter orange, plums, figs and cloves on the palate, and a 'fulsome' finish.

Dirk Niepoort said: "Niepoort has a long tradition in the production of old aguardente (wine brand), aged in oak casks, in our cellars. Producing such a special rum with a good friend seems the perfect combination for such a special bottling."

Parra said: "Port is a symbol of rich flavours and intense maturity. To me, Niepoort is the symbol of merging family traditions, high-quality products and ever-evolving creativity. Combining this, it symbolises what this project stands for: the synergy of 2 Masters."

The new release was launched by Parra, who travelled from Colombia to Portugal for the occasion, and Dirk van der Niepoort on 16 June. Only 620 bottles will be released worldwide and will be available from Farr Vintners for £828. 

With the 2 Masters series, Parra has entrusted a portion of his vintage Dictador rums to a select group of prestigious wine and spirit producers worldwide to 'finish' the Dictador blends as they wish. Previous partners on the project include Royal Tokaj, Hardy Cognac, Glenfarclas Distillery, Champagne Leclerc Briant and Labelle Armagnac.

To protect the authenticity of spirits in the series, Dictador has developed security features including gold paint with UV protection, microtext and topographical numbering, and armoured glass with fingerprint technology for unlocking. 

21 June 2021 - Bethany Whymark