Ron Zacapa Centenario Sistema Solera 23 Rum (1000ml)

First launched in 1976 and famously aged 'above the clouds', two and a half kilometres above sea level among the Guatemalan mountains and volcanoes, Zacapa's Solera 23 remains the flagship of the 'La Nacional' company, which continues to produce an extensive line of products accounting for 98% of the domestic spirits market in Guatemala. The brand is now part of the Diageo group.

Unlike most rums, Zacapa is distilled from 'Virgin honey' (a.k.a. sugar cane juice), not the denser molasses. It also employs a natural yeast culture originally sourced from pineapples. However, it's Zacapa's complicated maturation that really sets it apart. New distillate is combined with around 10% older rums, then the first ageing takes place in rejuvenated x Bourbon casks for two years, after which it's blended for a second time with more old material. The process is repeated a third time, after which it's racked into sherry butts for around two years. The final stage sees a 'finishing' in Pedro Ximenez sherry butts before being blended once more and rested in a large American oak vat for six months before bottling. The age of rums in the final mix ranges from 6 to 23 years old. Given all the effort that goes into production, it's no wonder this really is an exemplary example of the spirit. Its cornucopia of flavours and moderate sweetness makes it ideal straight up as an after dinner sipper, otherwise, we recommend keeping it simple: Add a couple of ice cubes and a twist of orange peel, or include a dash of aromatic bitters to create our favourite - the Zacapa 'Old Fashioned'.

Other reviews... Copper color. Sweet, peppery spice and dried tropical fruit aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a glycerous, slightly sweet medium-full body of brown sugar, dried cherries, guava, pineapple, cinnamon, and caramelized roasted nuts. Finishes with a sweet, light molasses and ashy mineral fade. A nice, supple, and surprising sweet aged rum. Should mix brilliantly, or enjoy as an after-dinner sipper. 40% Alc./Vol.
International Review of Spirits Award: Gold Medal
95 points (Exceptional) - tastings.com

Winner of a Platinum medal and ranked in First Place by the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute in Chicago.

5 stars - diffordsguide.com

Notes from the producers... NOSE: Soft, sweet start with aromas of caramel, vanilla, cacao and butterscotch. Continued by sherried notes of caramelized roasted brazil nuts and toasted hazelnut, rounded out by toffee, banana and dried pineapple. TASTE: Complex, generous and full-bodied. Starting with a depth of dried fruit and apricot, building to savory oak, nutmeg, leather and tobacco with notes of coffee and vanilla, balanced with a spicy touch of cinnamon and ginger. FINISH: Intricate with honeyed butterscotch, spiced oak and dried fruit.