Ron Zacapa Centenario X.O. Rum (700ml)

The crown jewel in the Zacapa line-up and the epitome of elegance in rum.

What started in the early part of the 20th century as an effort by a handful of enthusiastic entrepreneurs has evolved into a prosperous corporation with international recognition. Today the 'La Nacional' company has an extensive range of products which account for 98% of the domestic spirits market in Guatemala. Their rums marketed under the Ron Zacapa label stand out for two reasons: Instead of molasses, they're produced using sugarcane honey (fresh sugarcane juice condensed and filtered). Secondly, the rums are distilled at sea-level but aged in the town of Quetzaltenango at an elevation of 2300 metres.

Zacapa's top shelf blend of 6-25 year old rums is an exemplary example of the spirit that goes through a similar solera aging process to the popular Solera 23 with one notable exception: after a spell in ex-bourbon, ex-oloroso sherry, and ex-Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, the final blend is finished in French oak casks previously used to age cognac (befitting of the XO moniker, but relatively meaningless in the rum world). It feels like a very old cognac or brandy on the nose with an almost ethereal lift of sticky date, dark chocolate, coffee bean and light golden syrup. The palate delights the senses with a fabulous rush of dates, molasses cake, mocha, honey, super-aged muscat and perfectly balanced spirit. The finish is drying and XO cognac-like. Tasting like a good proportion of seriously old material is in the mix, this is the epitome of elegance in rum with luxe presentation to match. 40% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... Overall, this is a cocoa-bomb rum. Look for a deep-brown hue and concentrated toffee and cocoa aromas. The flavor suggests dried figs and dates, cocoa powder and walnut, finishing with a puckery fruit-leather finish. 91 points - wineenthusiast.com

...Chestnut-amber hue. Leather, tobacco and charred molasses nose. A rich entry leads to a full-bodied, moderately sweet palate of tobacco, burnt caramel, oak and brown spice elements. Finishes for a mile with a satisfying warm afterglow of alcohol. A seriously structured and refined aged rum. Reminiscent of a fine Spanish brandy. 40% Alc./Vol. International review of Spirit Award: Gold Medal (2002) 94 points (Exceptional). - tastings.com

...This rum is a gorgeous, ruddy toffee color, perhaps a shade more amber than the standard 23. The nose, unsurprisingly, evokes more age, as well, with deeper notes of aged wine and seasoned oak that pair well with elements of dried fig, sticky prune, dark roast coffee, and creamy milk chocolate. The palate is still bright with all that citrusy, sherry-driven fruit, although a rich layer of dark brown sugar underpins things, adding a silky depth and gentle complexity. Coffee notes, nutty and lightly spiced, dominate the mid-palate before a reprisal of fruit on the long finish, this time more Cognac-driven with golden stone fruits and some poached pear. All told, it’s only a bit more impressive than the standard Zacapa 23, but that’s still saying something. A great special occasion sipping rum. If you can spare the shelf space. - drinkhacker.com

5+ stars - diffordsguide.com