Ron Zacapa 23 Solera Rum was created in 1976 in the highlands of Guatemala.
The 500 year-old Spanish Sistema Solera method is used to age Ron Zacapa 23 in white oak casks. Zacapa 23 contains a blend of rums from 6 to 23 years old. Butterscotch, spiced oak and pineapple sweetness…..
Unlike most rums currently on the market, which are made from molasses, Ron Zacapa is made from “virgin honey”. This is the syrup containing 72% sugar, produced by heating and evaporating pressed sugar cane juice. Three grades of sugar can be extracted from virgin honey leaving molasses, which only has a sugar content of 48-50%, as a natural by-product. Making rum from molasses was effectively the way to monetise the wastage from the sugar production process while making rum from virgin honey produces only rum.
Using virgin honey to make rum in Guatemala down to tradition more than anything else. At the beginning of the 20th Century, there were many small distilleries in Guatemala making rum. Rum production in Guatemala was always meant to be an artisanal craft so only virgin honey was ever used for the process. In fact, in Guatemala, rum can only be legally defined as such if it is produced using virgin honey. Today there is only one distillery in Guatemala making rum, Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala. Ron Zacapa is one of a number of spirits produced there and to Guatemalans, it’s a drink which represents Guatemala on the international market. ( http://amateurwine.co.uk/ron-zacapa-the-story-behind-the-rum/)
When you try it for the first time, you immediately discover its sweetness compared to other sipping rums. And as you slowly sup on it, you get hints of vanilla, chocolate and toffee.
Ron Zacapa 23 bottle features a woven band around the middle, which is in reference to the original hand woven palm leaf petate bottle cover that covered the bottle.
Enjoy on a single large lump of pure, clear ice in a luxury rocks glass with a heavy base…..
Article: Ron Zacapa Centenario Solera 23
Country: Guatemala
Rum-type: Solera Grand Reserva
Producer: Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala
Age: 6 – 23 years old
Alcohol: 40% ABV
Colour: Dark mahogany
Flavour: Great intensity. Sweet fruit favors, vanilla, almond, chocolate, roasted wood and soft notes of spice.
Taste: Dense and complex flavour variety, extraordinary balanced.
Finish: Elegant and very long aftertaste.
Drink-recommendation: Enjoy it purely or as a base for quality cocktails.
There are currently three rums in the Ron Zacapa family: 15, 23 and XO. They have all been produced using an adapted Solera system and have been aged between 5-15 years, 6-23 years and 6-25 years respectively. The Solera system is a system of blending and ageing which creates the complex bouquet of aromas found in the rum.
Hope it tastes as delicious as it looks 🙂