Kokova Magazine

Brugal was founded in 1888 in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic by D. Andres Brugal. A Spaniard, by birth, whose goal was to create only the finest Caribbean rum.

He succeeded.

Armed with two bottles of Brugal rum, we spent a day (and night) celebrating this fabulous addition to our drinks cabinet by making a variety of cocktails for all to enjoy.

Brugal is the only rum distilled, matured and bottled in the Dominican Republic. All the ingredients are actively sourced from local farms maintaining Brugal's island provenance.

Brugal Ron Blanco Especial White Rum

70cl / 40% A white Dominican rum from Brugal, aged for at least a year and crisp on the palate with some fruit and coconut.

We love the presentation of these bottles, with the netting cover that you can undo and slip down to reveal the delights inside.

Although this rum is an excellent base for many cocktail combinations, we initially taste tested it as is, without anything added - and we have to say the Blanco is exceptionally clean and palatable.

A hint of coconut, with a slim fruity addition, makes this versatile spirit an ideal base for building on - and aside from making a Blanco Especial Mojito and Daiquiri, we also created our own Zombie Twist cocktail.

Priced at around £20 a bottle, we feel the Blanco is at a very affordable end of the market for such a good quality of rum.

If you are new to cocktails then the Blanco Especial makes a great choice on quality and flavour, and is so smooth that you really can't go wrong.

This gets full marks from us for flavour, versatility and presentation - and will definitely be one to add to our collection.

Brugal Anejo Rum

70cl / 38% Brugal is the market-leading rum in the Dominican Republic and is becoming a familiar sight in bars up and down the UK.

With a distinctive smokey aroma and woody taste, the Anejo certainly gives you a run for your money.

As with the Blanco, the Anejo is born to be mixed and makes the most amazing base for a variety of cocktails.

If you are not a fan of the woody taste we would suggest sticking to the Blanco but if you want a bit of a punch to your cocktails and like a deeper flavour we don't think you will be disappointed with this bottle.

After flying through a straight taste test, we mixed in some sugars and lime before pouring over a bed of ice.

If you are already a rum lover then this is one you will probably want to add to your favourites.

And if you are not, then we would suggest this is a great range to dip your toes into and give it a try.

You may be a little more than pleasantly surprised... mixed with coke, lemonade, fruit juices or on its own Brugal can be whatever you need your rum to be.

Both the Blanco Especial and the Anejo are very clean examples of a great brand - and possibly deserve to be titled as 'the finest Caribbean rum'.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/brugaluk