Brugal Añejo is a Dominican rum that’s a blend aged three to five years in American white oak casks. The first thing I noticed when they sent me a bottle for review was the gold net over the bottle, which made me think of pirates … for some reason.
But once I cracked it open, I found a pleasing rum that’s a good value at $20 a bottle. The nose is almost all wood and mineral, with none of the sweetness I was expecting. Although the start and finish are a little sharp, overall Brugal has a buttery, oaky flavor with some hints of fruit.
It’s not what I’d consider a sipping rum (though it is enjoyable to drink on its own) and performs very well in a variety of mixed drinks. I’ve tried simple concoctions with soda and juice, classics like a Papa Doble and more experimental tipples with a lot of ingredients and wasn’t disappointed.
