Brugal unveiled a limited-edition, luxury collection of bespoke Brugal 1888 bottles designed by celebrated Miami artist, Alexander Mijares. Using 11 of the iconic bottles as a canvas, Mijares drew parallels between his own life and the legendary rum house's storied history by depicting similar Latin heritage, shared love of family, the pursuit of passion, and the diverse, dynamic vibrancy of Miami culture, the company says. 

Unveiled in time for Miami Art Week, eight of the pieces will be available to the public after Dec. 1 with one purchasable through auction, and proceeds will benefit a local South Florida charity.

“Our collaboration with Alexander Mijares is an expression of passion, legacy and the never-ending pursuit to evolve one’s craft. It is an honor to tell our family’s story through such artistic expression and in a way that celebrates the vibrancy of our Latin community at large,” said Brugal Maestra Ronera Jassil Villanueva Quintana, in a statement. “Where better to unveil this stunning collection than Miami, a melting pot of our Latin culture.”

The themes of family and legacy, as well as the thirst to explore and take inspiration from travel, resonated deeply with Mijares during a firsthand visit to Brugal’s home in the Dominican Republic. Here, the family welcomed him with unmatched hospitality and toured him across the Dominican Republic, immersing him in their history. From this trip, Mijares was inspired by the various chapters of the family’s 134-year story to create 11 works that detail the beauty behind the process of rum making, how the heart of the Brugal family is poured into every drop of rum they produce, the magic of the island of the Dominican Republic, and more.

“Discovering the parallels between the Brugal family and my own demonstrated a larger story of connection that exists across Latin culture,” Mijares said. 

For example, a piece that represents Cuba lovingly honors a country that unites Brugal and his own family legacies. One featuring sugarcane depicts the importance of the sweet grass to the rum-making process, as well as fond childhood memories when Mijares' grandfather would tell stories of sugarcane while giving him and his siblings pieces to savor. In addition to storytelling shared backgrounds, Mijares also created a piece in honor of Miami. 

“It is a place that beats deep in my heart. With its many Latino roots and movements, beaches, colors, people and tropical weather, Miami speaks volumes of Latin dynamism,” Mijares said. 

Another piece in the collection, “Progression,” portrays Andres Brugal first selling his beloved rum off the back of a donkey, narrating the understanding that with hard work and dedication, you can change the world. 

“Hard work has been instilled in me from a young age and was an attribute I recognized in the entire Brugal family. I respect them endlessly for how they progress their craft as well as their beloved Dominican home,” Mijares said.

Brugal was founded in 1888 by Don Andrés Brugal, who sailed from his natal Spain in pursuit of a dream to create a world-leading rum. He first landed in Cuba where he learned the art of rum making, before settling in Dominican Republic to start his company with his family. They first cultivated the land and sugar cane and then began to distill rum, harnessing the warmth of the tropical sun to imbue their spirit with complexity and flavor, before finally mastering the nuanced art of cask selection. Once the liquid was perfected, Don Andrés traveled across the island and later the world to share his exceptional Dominican rum. Each successive generation of Maestros continued in this pursuit while also imparting their own contributions. Since its founding, Brugal's liquid has maintained consistency in excellence and quality with expertise passed down through 5 generations of family Maestros Roneros, while the company has expanded to also prioritize local philanthropy in an effort to progress their beloved island home.

Mijares' one-of-a-kind works will be unveiled at the Perez Art Museum's Annual Art Basel Celebration on Dec. 1, and eight bottles from the collection will be made available for public purchase afterward. One piece “Brugal Passion, Heart in a Glass” will be auctioned, with proceeds benefiting Special Compass, a South Florida-based organization that helps those with disabilities follow their passions and navigate life through education, sports, and housing, and achieve their dreams independently through inclusion. “Brugal Passion, Heart in a Glass” describes the never-ending pursuit of passion, a common goal shared by Brugal, Mijares and Special Compass. This is the only piece in the collection that features an original, hand-shaped sculpture designed to hold the custom bottle.

This is Brugal's second collection as part of a larger artist series. In 2021, Brugal unveiled 18 bottles encased in Huichol art designed by internationally recognized Mexican artist Cesar Menchaca. Additional global Artist Collections are anticipated through 2023.