Flavour builds if you leave the rum in your mouth for a little longer allowing it to coat the palate." Our plantation is located on the volcanic plains of Retalhuleu, 350m above sea level in south-western Guatemala. Due to the fertile, acidic soil and year-round sunshine, no other place in the world is better suited to the cultivation of sugar cane. Most rums use molasses, a by-product of the sugar making process, as their base; Zacapa, however, is different. To impart a sweeter, smoother flavour, Zacapa uses only the concentrated first press of sugar cane, known as virgin sugar cane honey. This is the very point at which our rum's remarkable taste and profile begin to develop. The rum is a dark amber with reddish hints. To be honest its exact colour is as complex as the rum. Light can make it appear both red and golden and dark at the same time! The rum is quiet viscous almost like a lighter liqueur, rather than a rum. The rum is very sweet on the nose. Another point which is often made about this rum is how much sugar is added. This is a slight which is often aimed at a lot of the newer breed of “Premium Sipping Rums”. Like many rum arguments its not something which either interests or bothers me. I don’t know how to distil, blend or market rum I just enjoy drinking the ones I enjoy. The Zacapa initially gives a bouquet of brown sugar, it reminds me a little of a chocolate or caramel/toffee sauce for ice cream or desserts. Upon a further nosing I am also getting a feeling for the aged rums in the blend with a little oak and cocoa coming through. Leading rum expert, Ian Burrell takes us through the history, story and trends in the world of rum. Previous > In this review, we’re traveling to Guatemala, high above the clouds at an altitude of 2,300 meters, where the Zacapa rum casks are stored and matured. You will discover Ron Zacapa 23 in more detail as I cover the following topics:

It’s a very mellow bouquet with intense aromatics, an intriguing level of complexity, and medium-plus diversity. Now, I did do something that perhaps might be seen as... erm... wrong? But it works for me and always brings out more flavors in basically any spirit I'm enjoying. Yes it tastes great. No it is not a genuine aged rum. The XO version is IMO less sweet and more what this rum should be, but the 23 has been sweetened to make it more appealing to the American palate. Also, this is not a 23 yr old rum, it is a Solera blend of aged rum the OLDEST of which is 23 yrs, the average age is closer to 6-8 years.Diplomatico aims to support its home country through its rum production by providing sustainable jobs and keeping the health of the environment at its core. The brand uses an ecological treatment process to transform residual water into fertilizer for its sugarcane. The sugarcane used is exclusively grown on the Appleton Estate and takes the title of the oldest sugar estate and distillery in Jamaica. The brand’s rum is perfected by Master Blender, Joy Spence, the first woman to be appointed Master Blender in the world.

It firmly believes that this method of combining rums from different regions is a great way to offer a sophisticated and characterful rum and its bottles agree. For some people, a powerhouse brand like Zacapa means reliability and a trustworthy, loyal choice for their home bar. Others might shy away from these large-scale manufacturers and global brands that appeal to a large range of consumers. Havana Club’s Primer Maestro Romero, Don José Navarro, describes the brand’s Añejo Blanco as “The whitest of all aged rums, the most aged of all white rums”. The Havana Club Añejo Blanco is distilled and aged in Puerto Rico for one year. Then, the aged rums are blended together and aged for another two months. To produce rum, sugarcane is burnt, harvested, and milled for around 24 hours to keep it fresh and prevent deterioration.

How To Drink Ron Zacapa 23

Rhum industriel: The traditional, more commonly-used method for producing and distilling rum. Made with molasses rather than sugar cane juice. It’s crisp on the nose with flavors of vanilla spices, dark chocolate, and tangy fruit. It has a long, citrus finish with more crisp, fruity notes. It’s an excellent mixing rum, perfect for a Daiquiri or a Mojito. Añejo: Añejo means “aged” and refers to rum that’s been left for a period of time after being distilled and before being sold. Most rum is distilled from molasses, with yeast feasting on those darker caramelized sugars. Ron Zacapa is distilled from something called “virgin sugar cane honey,” or “virgin honey,” the syrup that comes from the first pressing of the cane plant, with about 72 percent sugar content, compared to molasses’ approximate 50 percent. Combine that with the gentler aging process (see “Star Wars” below), and you start to see where the aspirational finesse of the Ron Z flavor profile comes from. It has something in common with “Star Wars.”

In general, though, this is a very pleasant, very enjoyable rum with a very distinct presentation, gorgeous looking bottle with some extra flair of the Mayan petate band. In eastern Guatemala, 229m above sea level, lies the town of Zacapa. Founded in 1876 as a bustling railroad stop, the resident population was soon joined by travellers from around the world, leaving a legacy that can still be seen today in local surnames. In 1976, the town reached its centenary. To celebrate this historic event, Guatemala's premier rum-producing company decided to create something special. By harnessing expert knowledge gained over many years, a unique premium spirit was born: Ron Zacapa Centenario. Crafted in Guatemala, Ron Zacapa distills its rum at 2,300 meters above sea level in the highlands of Quetzaltenango to ensure a unique-tasting spirit. It’s a well-known brand that combines richness, quality, and mastery to create a range of delicious bottles. The "z" rums - Zaya, Zacapa, Zafra - as well as Diplomatico and others have led people to believe aged rums should be sweet and smooth, while drier genuine rums - Appleton 12 yr, Mount Gay extra old, Flor de Cana, Seales 10 yr, any agricole rhum - are more indicative of what rum SHOULD taste like in its unaltered state, but less appealing to most people's palates.Ron Zacapa is cleverly marketed by Diageo as “Sistema Solera” which whilst a perfectly legitimate method of producing rum, immediately leads many to believe they are buying a rum that is 23 years old. This is something which is often frowned upon by rum connoisseur’s and reviewers. Personally, I have never bought a rum based solely on the age of the rum. I have of course bought an older expression, if for instance it is on sale and is less than the lesser aged rum but it is not something which I judge rum’s upon. There are rum’s in my cabinet which I rate very highly and I do not actually know how “aged” they are. The “Sistema Solera” method is described on the cardboard sleeve as…. Hailing from Georgia, United States, Richland is an award-winning single-estate distillery and holds the title of being the only single-estate distillery in the States. The name comes from the town in which the rum is produced – Richland – and uses sandy soil, natural waters, and warm sunshine to create its offerings. And I absolutely adore how this sits on my tongue. It's sugar... which I guess is to be expected. And I love that. Pour a few drops of Ron Zacapa 23 on top of your tiramisu and then enjoy a glass side by side with the Italian dolce – a heavenly treat without a doubt.

As a result of its quality and dedication to perfection, Appleton Estate rum doesn’t come cheap. The brand’s 50-Year-Old offers an unparalleled tasting experience that’s believed to be the oldest rum in the world. The dense, dark amber color of the liquid promises quality and its nose reveals honey, molasses and soft spices.The worldwide nature of this spirit made selecting the very best a challenge. We delved deep into the huge number of white, dark, and spiced rums to select the brands and bottles suitable for each and every occasion. Everything Mount Gay produces is given the seal of approval by Master Blender Trudiann Branker and it’s hard to go wrong with any of the brand’s options. Zacapa Centenario Reserva Limitada je prémiový tmavý rum z Guatemaly, ktorý je vysoko uznávaný pre svoju výnimočnú kvalitu a komplexnosť. Mount Gay’s Eclipse Rum is a gold rum with a brilliant amber color and a strong flavor to match. It combines floral and fruity notes for a unique and distinctive aroma of banana, apricot, and vanilla.