Dictador Rum Taps Welsh Whisky Casks for a Pair of Decades-Old Vintages

(Photo: Dictador)

On Monday, “arthouse” spirits distiller Dictador teamed up with Penderyn Distillery for what it claims to be the first Columbian rums finished in Welsh whisky barrels.

The first of the two releases is a vintage distilled in 1991 that spent 16 months in peated quarter casks before being bottled at 40.7% ABV. The second is a 2000 vintage bottled at 46.2% ABV and matured 16 months in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks. In keeping with Dictador’s bespoke approach, the 1991 and 2000 vintages have been limited to just 413 and 375 bottles respectively.

The unexpected collaboration — tasting notes for which have yet to be announced — is the latest in an ongoing “2Masters” series that has previously facilitated crossovers with brands like Glenfarclas, Barton 1792 and Champagne Leclerc Briant. Dictador describes the new rums as a “bold leap in luxury spirits.”

“This groundbreaking release represents a pinnacle of collaborative craftsmanship, led by Dictador’s Master Blender Hernan Parra—a third-generation member of the Parra family and custodian of their Family Reserve—and Penderyn’s Aista Phillips, the first female Master Blender in the 2Masters project,” Dictador said in a news release. “Together, they have curated a new era of luxury and taste, showcasing their expertise and establishing a new benchmark in global spirits innovation.”

Following a drought of Welsh whisky production in the late nineteenth and early 20th century, Penderyn was one of the first distillers to pick up operations in the region when it hit the market in 2004. Celebrating the occasion, Prince Charles III was reportedly in attendance at the launch of the brand’s inaugural bottling.

The distiller’s house style favors Madeira casks that result in its signature “light, fruity and flavorsome” palate.

Dictador, meanwhile, dates its roots back to 1913. These days, the imprint is best known for one-off releases like its TOTEM series as well as a notorious $1.5 million rum — reportedly the most expensive in history. In similarly headline-worthy news, Dictador appointed what it called the “first AI human-like robot CEO” in 2022. Her name is Mika, she wears glasses and is known to shade Elon Musk on social media.

Within its Penderyn series, the 1991 vintage has a suggested retail price of €990 (US $833) and the 2000 vintage of €900 (US $757). It should be noted that both have already sold out following their virtual launch on Monday. For more information, find the Dictador website here.

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