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Maestro Ronero Gustavo Ortega, Maestra Ronera Jassil Villanueva and Brand Development Manager Juan Campos |
More than 70 guests were swept away from the IAADFS Duty Free Show in Orlando in a fleet of classic cars last week to witness the official launch of Brugal 1888 in the Americas duty free market.
The Moodie Report’s Brands Editor jumped into a 1950 Cadillac convertible en route to the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando for a glamorous evening reception hosted by Gustavo Ortega, Brugal’s Maestro Ronero (master rum-maker), Jassil Villanueva, soon to be Brugal’s first female Maestra Ronera, Brugal Brand Development Manager Juan Campos and staff from brand owner The Edrington Group and distributors Rémy Cointreau Travel Retail Americas and World Equity Brand Builders.
Guests sampled the new Brugal 1888 in a range of cocktails. The new product has been very well received in European markets, Edrington said, and is now being launched in Americas duty free.
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Guests arrive in style: The Moodie Report’s Brands Editor jumped into a Cadillac convertible |
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Guests sampled the new Brugal 1888 in a range of cocktails at the official launch party in Orlando |
Oak and sherry casks used in ageing process
A combination of American white oak casks, previously used to age bourbon, and European oak casks, previously used to age sherry – the same casks used to mature The Macallan single malt whisky – are used throughout the ageing process.
This method was developed to create a rum with a smooth, rich and full-bodied flavour, rather drier and more complex than many rums on the market, Ortega told The Moodie Report at the Orlando fair.
The Edrington Group Commercial Area Director André de Almeida said: “The Brugal 1888 launch party was a very elegant occasion, entirely in keeping with the style and sophistication of this premium brand.
“We were delighted to welcome so many of our friends and colleagues in the Americas duty free and Caribbean market and give them the chance to sample this exceptional rum.”
Brugal 1888 (40%abv) retails at US$49.99 for a 75cl bottle.
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Above and below: The hosts (above) toast the launch of Brugal 1888 into Americas duty free, along with the guests |
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Rémy Cointreau Travel Retail’s Matthew Hodges with TFWA President Erik Juul Mortensen and WDF’s Sarah Branquinho |
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*In other news, Brugal Master Ronero Gustavo Ortega presented his Brugal Blanco Especial Extra Dry Rum to the Americas duty free market at the 2012 IAADFS exhibition in Orlando.
About Brugal
Brugal is one of the world’s largest international golden rum brands and is listed in the top 20 of Impact’s Top 100 growth premium spirits brands.
Brugal, in which The Edrington Group took a majority stake in February 2008, is the leading rum brand in the Dominican Republic, where it has over 80% market share and is the number one brand in the Caribbean (source: IWSR). The premium brand is described as authentic, with a strong heritage.
Brugal makes its rum traditionally, ageing it in more than 200,000 American white oak barrels on-site in Puerto Plata. It can be drunk either mixed or straight.
Visit www.brugal-ron.com
