Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Solera Gran Reserva Rum
80 Proof
Price Point: $40 – $50 for 750 ML
Distiller: Rum Creation & Products Inc.
Background
During the summer, I find myself straying from whiskey (only sometimes) and reaching for a nice glass of rum. The only non-whiskey I have reviewed on this blog is Brugal 1888, an exceptional rum from the Dominican Republic.
My taste buds were seeking something new and exciting, so I went to the local state liquor store, and sprung for their “most premium” rum – Ron Zacapa. Like many whiskeys, this rum has a high number (23) prominently featured on the label, which some eager, and perhaps naive, buyers may assume means 23 years old. While that is partially true, it is only a marketing gimmick. Ron Zacapa spends time in a solera vat (similar to Glenfiddich 15 Year Old and Syndicate 58/6), which means that it touches drops of older rum, but most of the stuff in your bottle is much younger.
Let’s see what this stuff tastes like…
Review
The color on Ron Zacapa is reminiscent of Coca-Cola. On the nose, there’s sweet sugar cane and vanilla. Medium amount of alcohol burn, with not as much oak as you’d expect. This is not an overly complex nose.
The taste is sugary. You can almost feel the sugar granules on your tongue as you sip Ron Zacapa. This rum is very mellow and smooth. I taste a little bit of woodiness, but it’s overpowered by sweetness.
The finish starts out sweet, and ends a little bitter and dry.
Rating & Recommendations
Ron Zacapa Rum earns a rating of 78 out of 100.
I have to say that I’m pretty disappointed in this rum. I had high hopes in trying another “premium” aged rum, but Ron Zacapa fell well short of my expectations
-Ryan