Dictador 2 Masters Royal Tokaji

Colombian rum distillery Dictador has combined with Hungarian winemakers Royal Tokaji for the latest in their limited-edition luxury rum series, 2 Masters.

2 Masters refers to the fact that the Dictador Master Blender Hernan Parra collaborates with another master, who finishes off some of Dictador’s finest aged rum in the way he sees fit. Past 2 Masters partnerships have included such respected names as whisky-makers Glenfarclas, Kentucky bourbon distillery Barton 1792, Hardy Cognac, Château d’Arche Sauternes, and the armagnac house, Château de Laballe.

For their latest luxury rum release Dictador looked to Hungary’s wine-making region, and to the Royal Tokaji winery specifically. Royal Tokaji’s Master Blender Zoltán Kovács was the man entrusted with finishing off a limited batch of Dictador’s 1977 vintage rum in the winery’s 13th-century cellar.

The Hungarian master chose to age the rum for nine months in Royal Tokaji’s 12-year-old, 300-litre Zemplén oak barrels that had previously been used to age the 2016 Royal Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos for two years. The wine adds a level of sweetness to the rum, of which only 475 decanters will be available worldwide.

Dictador History

As a company Dictador dates back to 1913 but it wasn’t until 2009 that it was first able to share its rums with the world by way of its 12-year-old and 20-year-old rums. In 2012 Dictador rums were available in China for the first time, while in 2019 a decanter of the Glenfarclas release in its innovative 2 Masters series sold in Harrods in London for £1300.

Dictador 2 Masters Royal Tokaji

The result of the collaboration with Royal Tokaji is a unique and rare rum whose aromas and tastes make you think of fine whiskies, brandies and cognacs, as well as rum. It has a honey sweetness from the wine barrels, the raisin and sultana notes typical of rum, and a touch of coffee, chocolate and vanilla.

What Do the 2 Masters Think?

But never mind what I thought – who better to explore the flavours of this complex rare rum than the two masters themselves, Dictador Master Blender Hernan Parra and Royal Tokaji’s Master Blender Zoltán Kovács.