The limited edition Colección Visionaria edition 1 rum was celebrated at CASA BRUGAL, surrounded by the artistic, welcoming scene of East London. The space of a local shop and cafe, A Portuguese Love Affair, underwent a week-long transformation — morphing into a pop-up bar and cafe that gives back to the surrounding community, while celebrating the anticipated launch of the exclusive rum.
When I stepped into CASA BRUGAL, I was greeted by inviting smiles and a cocktail with the new first edition of the rum. In a wonderful combination of coffee bitters, coconut syrup and Colección Visionaria rum, I was transported to an oasis away from a rainy London into a cosy epicentre of Dominican warmth.
The pop-up in East London welcomed me as if I were a part of the Brugal Rum family, as I was immersed in its essence — learning about the history and inspiring stories of the intense care and meticulous expertise that envelops Brugal to create remarkable rums.
Sophisticated Flavours
After the first cocktail, I had the privilege of tasting the exceptional rum by itself. On the nose, the rum takes you through a journey with a flavourful scent of chocolate, toasted oak, spices and citrus, while a soft vanilla scent balances the profile. After tasting, flavours of vanilla coated my taste buds along with hints of caramel. Upon a second taste, the profile expanded to flavours of dark chocolate, dried fruits and a hint of toasted nuts. The liquid had a long finish, as the taste of toasted oak lingered.
The sipping beverage is crafted using the world’s first Aromatic Cask Toasting Technique — developed by Brugal family member and fifth-generation rum master, Jassil Villanueva. The cask toasting technique involves a strenuous process. After maturing in bourbon barrels, the liquid endures secondary ageing in virgin European oak casks which are toasted with cacao beans from the Dominican Republic to incorporate chocolate aromas into the wood, before adding the rum to the cask.
During this process, neither sugar nor additives are added to the liquid — creating a pure rum saturated with the aromas crafted during the toasting process. Different from a chocolate rum that diffuses cacao beans directly into the liquid, the technique transfers the flavour into the wood itself, slowly enhancing the rum with rich flavours and aromas as it matures.
A Female Mastermind
Along with developing this technique, Villanueva gives a female voice to the spirit industry as Brugal’s first female maestro ronero — shattering the glass ceiling that was deemed impossible until just over 10 years ago. She was recognized in 2015 for her accomplishment in setting the world record for the youngest rum master in the world.
Flashing forward, Villanueva made an appearance at the CASA BRUGAL tasting as she humbly welcomed each of us — imparting her expert knowledge on those of us begging to listen. Carrying on her family’s 135-year legacy of wood and cask expertise, she’s dedicated herself to her craft — inspiring young women who hope to be at the forefront of success in their field. Creating a drink that pays homage to the history of Brugal, Villanueva said she wanted to create memories of her past with the first edition of Collección Visionaria.
“One of my most cherished childhood memories is walking amongst the cacao trees surrounding my family home,” Villanueva said. “I remember the lush and green cacao fields, the bittersweet scent of the cacao pods, and the rich aromas of roasted beans.”
Paying it Forward
Along with excellent rum, CASA BRUGAL also hosted Brugal-inspired collaborations with local masters including Earl of East, Lily Vanilli, Lucocoa and Three Sheets — all while helping out East London through FoodCycle. During the event, all proceeds went to the charity, whose mission is to connect communities while reducing loneliness and food poverty by creating a welcoming space for neighbours to congregate for food and fellowship.
Darren West, Head of Brugal Rum at Edrington UK, said that CASA BRUGAL gave the brand an amazing opportunity to give back to the dynamic East London community.
“Born in the Dominican Republic, Brugal has a vibrant spirit, filled with warmth and passion,” West said. “We hope that this activation will not only bring this essence to life and introduce our exceptional rum in a warm and welcoming way but also take inspiration from the Brugal Foundation and its charitable causes by giving back to the community to make a longer-term positive social impact.”
Although CASA BRUGAL has come to a close this year, Brugal is already working on the next edition for Colección Visionaria. In the meantime; however, the limited first edition — with only four batches distilled globally — can be purchased for around the £80 recommended retail price per bottle. The rare expression rum can be found at The Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt and Berry Bros. & Rudd.
To discover more, visit: brugal-rum.com
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All imagery courtesy of Brugal Rum Colección Visionaria.