An exceptional aged rum rested above the clouds in Guatemala, Ron Zacapa Centenario XO Solera Gran Reserva sets the standard for ultra-premium rums and perhaps all rare, exotic and extravagant spirits.
Ron Zacapa Centenario XO Solera Gran Reserva
Photo by Robert Burr.
Zacapa rum is produced in the verdant Guatemalan countryside, under a dramatic backdrop of soaring mountains and active volcanoes.
These rums are crafted from the first press concentrated sugar cane juice or virgin sugar cane honey. A yeast strain (saccharomyces cerevisae) isolated from pineapples transforms the sugar into alcohol during the 120 hour process. The spirits are then distilled using a series of column stills. The heavy rums are distilled once, while lighter rums are distilled using up to two additional columns.
The unique Sistema Solera aging process used in the production of Zacapa XO includes resting in charred oak barrels at very high altitude, blending with older rums, resting in sweet sherry barrels, further blending, resting in Pedro Ximenez wine barrels, additional blending, then maturing in used cognac barrels before the final blend and bottling.
Zacapa XO displays a deep mahogany color and fine legs in the glass. The nose is seductive with hints of cola, banana, leather, sherry and cane. The initial taste is well balanced between dry and sweet with hints of cognac and vanilla leading to caramel, cola, toasted hazelnut, ripe banana, tobacco, honey and smokey oak. The velvet smooth finish has no bite, with long sweet caramel, vanilla and spice notes fading slowly.
The master blender of Zacapa rums is Lorena Vasquez. Her expertise in chemistry, organic sciences, distillation and blending of fine spirits has given her the ability to lead Zacapa's production teams to their recognized success.
The brand is best known for their Zacapa Centenario Solera 23 rum, featuring a hand-made petate woven palm band. They also produce a 15 year old, which is no longer available in the United States. Hard to find limited editions include the 25 year old decanter, a 30 year old special issue, a Black Label Edicion Commemorativo and a Straight From The Cask Special Edition.
Zacapa is owned by Rum Creation and Products Inc. (RCP), who has recently signed a global distribution and joint marketing agreement with Diageo. The spirit is produced by Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala.
Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala has developed a successful career over nearly 90 years, recognized worldwide since 1998 for the quality of its products, which are part of the Guatemalan pride. Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala has its own distillery and four production plants, invests steadily in the incorporation of technology, and has direct operations in the countries of the Central American region. Rum Creation and Products, Inc. (RCP) is part of the Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala group.
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Robert Burr
National Rum Examiner
Gifted Rums Guide
Miami Rum Renaissance Festival
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