Brugal 1888

Dai · Post by **Dai** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:04 am

I'll give you my first impression later when I have a glass of it.

Post by **Capn Jimbo** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 8:35 am

The Swedes tested this one three times at about 3g, Johnny got 12. Let us know what you think...

Dai · Post by **Dai** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 5:09 pm

Capn Jimbo wrote:The Swedes tested this one three times at about 3g, Johnny got 12. Let us know what you think...

It's very nice. Sweet and dry but, not overly sweet. the sweetness you taste is from the sherry barrels, you get that hint of sherry in the taste. Not like Dos Maderas. Brugal compared to Dos Maderas is the real deal, I'd believe the Swedes when they say only 3g of sugar although it tastes sweeter. I do believe it's from the sherry barrels. The taste is reminiscent of ED15 I'm not saying it tastes like ED15 but it reminds me of it. Also reminds me of Mount Gay XO. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying it tastes like these rums but it has the dryness of Mount Gay and the sweetness of El Dorado without being that sweet. I think this is the closest I'm going to come to actually describing a taste. I'm not very good at putting what I taste in to words.

Tobacco Pairing:
Erinmore Balkan Mixture, GQ Rum & Honey

Post by **Capn Jimbo** » Tue Apr 07, 2015 5:52 pm

Actually that's a rather nice and informative review. Thank you...

JaRiMi · Post by **JaRiMi** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 5:41 am

I was personally impressed by this rum and how it differed from most of Brugal's lineup of products - it is noticeably dry, and this alone allows us to really taste the rum itself better, I feel. Not bad at all.

Interestingly some people have suggested that (previously) some rum companies created the same product a bit differently for different markets, i.e. US-version (sweeter), and EU market (drier). Then some said that this ended because the costs involved, and US-market being bigger - so it was a bye bye to the drier versions. I cannot verify this for any rum personally (and I am not implying this for Brugal - just came to my mind, and wanted to share).

Blade Rummer · Post by **Blade Rummer** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 9:16 am

Interesting review, thanks for sharing. I've been debating picking up a bottle for awhile now, I may have to take the plunge at some point. I have recently opened a bottle of Brugal's XV, which I believe is a new bottling that replaces the previous extra viejo in their portfolio. I was impressed with it, it is dry and well-balanced. I prefer my rums on the dry side and so whenever I come across an affordable dry rum in our state-owned liquor stores I feel like it's quite an achievement!

I was wondering if you taste any briny notes in the 1888, or has the sherry influence masked them? In the XV, I feel like the sherry notes are pretty mild and there is an interesting briny flavour at the finish. It would be interesting to compare the two.

Post by **Capn Jimbo** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 9:53 am

JaRiMi wrote: Interestingly some people have suggested that (previously) some rum companies created the same product a bit differently for different markets, i.e. US-version (sweeter), and EU market (drier). Then some said that this ended because the costs involved, and US-market being bigger - so it was a bye bye to the drier versions. I cannot verify this for any rum personally (and I am not implying this for Brugal - just came to my mind, and wanted to share).

J, you've raised a VERY interesting point - different sugar for different markets - that for the first time we may be able to answer, what with testers (and potential testers) on both sides of the pond.

Dai · Post by **Dai** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:02 am

JaRiMi wrote:I was personally impressed by this rum and how it differed from most of Brugal's lineup of products - it is noticeably dry, and this alone allows us to really taste the rum itself better, I feel. Not bad at all.

Interestingly some people have suggested that (previously) some rum companies created the same product a bit differently for different markets, i.e. US-version (sweeter), and EU market (drier). Then some said that this ended because the costs involved, and US-market being bigger - so it was a bye bye to the drier versions. I cannot verify this for any rum personally (and I am not implying this for Brugal - just came to my mind, and wanted to share).

I bought it on your recommendation JaRiMi.

Dai · Post by **Dai** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:04 am

Blade Rummer wrote:Interesting review, thanks for sharing. I've been debating picking up a bottle for awhile now, I may have to take the plunge at some point. I have recently opened a bottle of Brugal's XV, which I believe is a new bottling that replaces the previous extra viejo in their portfolio. I was impressed with it, it is dry and well-balanced. I prefer my rums on the dry side and so whenever I come across an affordable dry rum in our state-owned liquor stores I feel like it's quite an achievement!

I was wondering if you taste any briny notes in the 1888, or has the sherry influence masked them? In the XV, I feel like the sherry notes are pretty mild and there is an interesting briny flavour at the finish. It would be interesting to compare the two.

Can't say I detected any briny notes myself.

The Fat Rum Pirate · Post by **The Fat Rum Pirate** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 2:09 pm

I've only tried the Anejo and the XV.

I didn't find the Anejo "briny" just very thin and weak tasting. It was one of the most inoffensive non-descript rums I have ever tried.

The XV seems better the 1888 is on the list to get as it is meant to be good. I have learnt that just because you find one rum in a companies line up poor (especially the younger ones) you shouldn't dismiss all their rums.