Continuing on with the Dominican Republic. So, we already talked about my favorite, Extra Viejo, but what about the most premium rum from Brugal’s core lineup? This is the rum that, I was told by my tour guide (on a boat trip, nothing to do with rum) is the #1 choice for Dominicans. How will it fare against Extra Viejo? How will it compare to another ultra premium rum also aged in both ex-bourbon and sherry casks, Ron Zacapa 23?

Review

Smell

Vanilla and oak, but with a strong alcohol smell.

Taste

Very smooth and easy sipping. Doesn’t really burn at all. Has a touch of sweetness and a touch of sour. Ok body, but not super complex, and has a slight floral note, much like Extra Viejo, which I have previously associated with Cuban rums. In a lot of ways, there’s a lot of similar flavors with Extra Viejo, and I would say it’s just as woody, but also has an additional wine note. And, compared to Zacapa, it is likewise very similar. But aside from the wine notes, Zacapa just has such a deep, rich honey note to it, that 1888 just doesn’t quite match. It’s close, but it leans more woody.

In a daiquiri, much like Extra Viejo, I don’t really like it because it’s too woody. Again, Havana Club 7 just beats it out.

I made an old fashioned, again with demerara sugar and Bittermen tiki bitters, and this time, actually, Brugal 1888 is noticably deeper and richer than Extra Viejo and Havana Club 7. I didn’t notice this before, but it has a richness and depth more approaching Zacapa 23 than what the other two had.

Verdict 6.25/10

This is the favorite of the Dominicans, and it just became my second favorite out of the Three B’s. I was originally going to rate it a 6/10, making it just shy of my favorite, but then I decided to make an old fashioned as I am writing the review, and I think it stood out there enough to convince me to make it a tie. It’s quite good. Extra Viejo was good but nothing special, and I think that the extra aging in wine barrels definitely puts a twist on it, and it’s interesting, but the wine finish just doesn’t do as much for me as the actual depth of flavor from the aging.

All of this, of course, ignores the price. In the US, it costs twice as much as Extra Viejo, and you’re somehow even worse off in the Dominican Republic trying to buy it. For my money, I would still go with Extra Viejo, or, situationally, Havana Club 7.

(I was originally going to say that these two are my favorite Dominican rums overall, but spoiler alert! I have a whole load from Oliver & Oliver that I haven’t had the chance to crack open yet!)