Brugal Opens Its Casa de la Maestría in Puerto Plata

Brugal has opened the doors of its Casa de la Maestría in Puerto Plata, welcoming journalists and content creators to an exclusive experience celebrating the legacy and evolution of Dominican rum.

The event invited guests, including representatives from Dominican newspaper Diario Libre, to explore the birthplace of the brand and learn about the people, processes, and traditions shaping its rums over five generations.

Visitors toured key facilities at the site, including the Casa de la Maestría, aging cellars, and production lines. The tour demonstrated how time, wood, local climate, and human expertise interact to create the brand's distinct rum expressions.

Master Blender and Brand History

Jassil Villanueva, a fifth-generation Master Blender and the first woman to hold the role in the Dominican Republic, guided guests through the tour. Villanueva shared details about the history, production methods, and sensory characteristics of the rums.

The experience also included a tour of iconic landmarks across Puerto Plata, reinforcing the brand's long-standing connection to the northern coastal city. Founder Andrés Brugal Montaner established the company in Puerto Plata more than 135 years ago.

Gastronomic Pairing Dinner

The gathering concluded with a specialized pairing dinner led by chef Catherine Lemoine. Lemoine crafted a menu specifically designed to complement the Brugal 1888 and Maestro Reserva rum expressions.

The culinary presentation highlighted the different aromas, flavors, and textures of each rum, turning the dining table into a space for tasting and discovery.

Villanueva and brand ambassador Susana Ortega accompanied guests during the evening, which brought the event to a close by emphasizing Brugal's balance between historical roots and future development.

Ortega said that for the brand, Puerto Plata is not only where its history began, but the spiritual home from which it continues to build its legacy and vision for the future.