Ron Zacapa - 23 YO Sistema Solera Rum, 70 cl

Ron Zacapa Centenario

Zacapa Centenario was created back in 1976, named after the small town Zacapa in eastern Guatemala to celebrate the 100 ^th anniversary of the town, By doctor and chemist Dr.Burgaleta.

The Zacapa plantation is located in the volcanic plains of south-western Guatemala in a place called Retalhuleu, over 350m above sea level. It is here that the fertile, acidic soil and constant sunshine lend themselves perfectly to the cultivation of sugar cane. Unlike a large bulk of rums that use molasses, Zacapa uses the concentrated first press of the sugar cane which is known as "virgin sugar cane honey". This is thought to impart a sweeter, smoother flavor. This is said to be the first key step in creating the Zacapa taste profile. After the distillation process, the rum is taken into the highlands of Quetzaltenango, 2300m above sea level. This place is romantically called 'The House Above the Clouds'. This location has cooler temperatures with thinner air and atmospheric pressures which mean that the barrels are subjected to less air pressure variation and the infusion of flavours from the barrels is intensified. Zacapa rum is aged using a Sistema Solera which is based on a centuries old Spanish Sherry aging process. The Zacapa Sistema Solera involves the blending of rums of various ages ( in the case of Centenario 23, between 6 and 23 years old ) in casks that once housed Bourbon, Sherry and Pedro Ximenez Wines. Every single drop of rum drops through each type of cask during the process to allow the flavours and aromas present in each one to impart their influence on the aging Zacapa. This combination of the differing cask types and Sistema Solera allows for the production of a complex, rich and flavourful rum.

Ron Zacapa is a subsidiary of Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala, and distributed and marketed by Diageo.

The master blender Lorena Vazquez has worked for Ron Zacapa for more than 30 years, Lorena, likes Zacapa "neat and with good company". At a push, she finally revealed that she enjoys the 15 for cocktails, 23 with food and XO to finish a meal.

Ron Zacapa Centenario was the first rum to win first place in the premium rums category 4 years in a row at the International Rum Festival 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. It was also the first rum to be included in the International Rum Festival's Hall of Fame.

Ron Zacapa is a subsidiary of Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala, and distributed and marketed by Diageo.

Zacapa 23 YO

Containing a blend of rums from 6 to 23 years old

Keynote

Wonderfully intricate with honeyed butterscotch, spiced oak and raisined fruit, showcasing the complexity of the sistema solera ageing process.

Appearance

Light mahogany, with the tones of long barrel ageing at the rim and long, slow legs clinging to the glass.

Nose

A soft start which develops complexity in the glass; sweet aromas of caramel, vanilla, cacao and butterscotch, combining with layers of flavour indicative of the different barrels in the solera process; sherried notes of caramelised, roasted brazil nuts and toasted hazelnut, and the characteristic rounded toffeed banana and dried pineapple of ex-American whiskey casks.

Palate

Wonderfully complex, generous and full-bodied, with a sweet honeyed viscosity atypical of an aged spirit; a great depth of raisined fruit and apricot preserves, building to an intense heart of savoury oak, nutmeg, leather and tobacco with notes of coffee and delicately sweet vanilla, balanced with a spicy touch of cinnamon and ginger on the pleasantly astringent finish; truly a rum for the discerning palate.