Representing the fifth generation of the family that owns Brugal, Jassil Villanueva is the maestro ronero at the Dominican distillery. Since her arrival, she has overseen the upgrading of the range and exciting experiments with casks (notably Visionara and Andrès Brugal).
Since you started, do you think things have improved?
I have been in the industry for over 10 years, and since my first day, things have clearly improved. When I started, people were less accustomed to seeing women in the spirits world, especially in rum.
Many women work as entrepreneurs, managing major brands. In the specific case of Brugal, 42% of managers are women who make decisions and work in key departments. We see that women do not drink rum for tasting like men do.
Why do you think that is?
I think it’s just a lack of opportunity. Rum is a spirit that women are less accustomed to drinking. Yet it’s one of the most versatile spirits. For example, you can make really good cocktails, both classic and original.
You can drink it as an aperitif, with food, with lunch or dinner… You can even use it as an ingredient in a recipe! So I think it’s just a matter of having the opportunity and seeing the right way to present rum, because there’s a taste for each of us, and there’s a time to enjoy it.
So I think rum’s versatility is one of its best features and allows women to decide how they want to taste and enjoy it.
What advice would you give to a 20-year-old woman who wants to pursue a career in the industry?
I think that, for any career, we should pursue what makes us happy, but we also need to be clear that it will be challenging. But for me, you just have to believe in what you’re doing, set goals and be passionate.
I think that will make the difference, it will pay off, but it will take time, like everything good in life. But you have to set clear boundaries, especially in an industry like this where we work with alcohol, often at night, with lots of people at the same time…