The Dictador Two Masters Niepoort is the new rare limited-edition rum created by the collaboration of Colombian rum company Dictador with winemaker Niepoort. Dictador Two Masters Niepoort is the ninth creation to the Dictador’s Two Masters line of ultra-premium rum series.
On 16 June, this edition was launched in Porto, Portugal through a virtual event attended by the two masters, fifth-generation Niepoort Master Blender Dirk Van der Niepoort and Dictador Master Blender Hernan Parra. It was also attended by De-Still Creative Founder and former The Macallan Creative Director Ken Grier and hosted by Scotch whisky writer Charles MacLean.
For the Two Masters series, Parra entrusted a portion of Dictador’s vintage rums to a select group of prestigious wine and spirits masters around the world to ‘finish’ the Dictador blend. The goal was to develop a truly unique, distinguished rum masterpiece by applying their distinctive blending styles.
The Dictador Two Masters Niepoort rum was aged in Port shipping barrels. This gave a deep red colour to the rum joined by a rich and refined palette. This luxury combines Parra’s master blend of four Dictador vintage rums from 1971, 1974, 1978 and 1980 with Van Der Niepoort’s port and winemaking skills. The rum was aged for 12-16 months in 550 litre pipa barrels (pipes), resulting 620 bottles worth of 48% ABV ultra-premium blend.
The rum producer has previously teamed up with Royal Tokaji, Hardy Cognac, Glenfarclas Distillery, Champagne Leclerc Briant, Château d’Arche Sauternes, Vignobles Despagne, Laballe Armagnac, and Barton 1792 for the Two Masters series.
The Dictador Two Masters Niepoort offers tasting notes of rich leather, red cherries, and dark chocolate on the nose, blended with hints of dark chocolate, coconut husk, bitter orange, fennel, plums, figs, quince jelly and cloves on the palate.
Furthermore, Dictador has created ‘robust’ innovative features for the bottle, including 11 layers of protection, guillochés, gold paint with UV glowing protection, micro-text and typographical numbering. The armoured glass is equipped with fingerprint technology for unlocking. Dictador believes ‘it is the most protected bottle in the world.’
Niepoort is one of Portugal’s most renowned winemakers and was established in the Douro Valley in 1843. Commenting on their joint creation, Van Der Niepoort said:
“Niepoort has a long tradition in the production of old aguardente (wine brand), aged in oak casks, in our cellars. Producing such a special rum with a good friend seems the perfect combination for such a special bottling.”
“Port is a symbol of rich flavours and intense maturity. To me, Niepoort is the symbol of merging family traditions, high quality products and ever-evolving creativity. Combining this, it symbolises what this project stands for: the synergy of 2 Masters. Only 620 bottles will be available of this beautiful liquid, so you better be fast!”
Parra added,
Commenting on the liquid, Grier said: “The liquid combines Niepoort, the best port in the world, with Dictador, the best rum in the world. Taking those two different perspectives sets the groundwork for a truly special investment-grade rum. It’s an incredible product, a fabulous liquid that should be enjoyed.”
Dictador Two Masters Niepoort is available from Farr Vintners for RRP £828 (US$1,151).
The Dictador distillery is located in Cartagena de Indias on the Caribbean Sea in Colombia. Dictador rum is produced from sugar cane honey as opposed to molasses. The rum is named after Severo Arango y Ferro, nicknamed “El Dictador”, who in the 1700s oversaw trade between Spain and the colonies. Dictador rum production is personally supervised by Hernan Arango Parra, a descendant of the famous Don Julio Arango y Parra. Hernan Parra is a representative of the third generation of the family creating sophisticated Colombian rum. The master oversees the entire production process of the drink according to unique, family recipes, perfected for three generations.
Although raised in a port producing family, Dirk came to winemaking late in the piece after studying economics and working in Switzerland. The first wine Dirk participated in making was the Niepoort Vintage Port of 1987. Since being “bitten by the wine bug” he has taken over the firm management and has also started making excellent dry table wines in addition to the wide range of Port styles they are famous for. His approach seems to hinge on respect for the greatness of their terroir, the vines and also having an almost fanatical view of accurately interpreting the Douro expressiveness that is and will be the Niepoort legacy.
“It is Dirk’s passion for wines and his humble respect and curiosity for the Douro terroir that defined Niepoort spirit over the last three decades and is a constant inspiration and challenge for the team.”
– Niepoort
Wine & Spirits magazine named Dirk Niepoort as one of 50 “Most Influential Winemakers of 2004”:
“What sets Niepoort apart is his skill at building networks, pathways of communication… Despite his varied projects… Niepoort never seems particularly stressed. His eye is still on his Niepoort wines, which only seem to get better…. Dirk Niepoort has not only transformed his family’s company, he’s helped transform the region and the way the world thinks about wine.”
So, get yourself this delicious rum till it’s available!