An awesome rum - winner of a Platinum medal and ranked in First Place by the prestigious Beverage Tasting Institue in Chicago, with a whopping 97 points. Interestingly, now that industry giants Diageo are distributing Zacapa, the '23 years old' age statement has suddenly been dropped and replaced with a somewhat more plausible claim - the rums used are aged between 6 and 23 years old and are blended together in a solera. Web-Exclusive Price!
Judges' Comments from The International Cane Spirits Festival 2007
Nose full or apricots, citrus fruits, vanilla, cocoa and bourbon; rich and full-bodied with spicy chocolate flavors and a pleasing tannic bite; very long finish, clean and rich with a lovely liqueur-like density.
Award: Gold Medal, Best In Category (Aged Rums 15+ Years Old)
Producer's Tasting Notes
Colour: Dark Mahogany.
Body: Dense, with marvellous complexities of aroma and flavour; thick legs that fall slowly.
Nose: Great intensity, sweet with notes of wood. Sweet fruitiness, vanilla, almond, chocolate, toasted wood and delicate hints of spice.
Taste: Dense and exceptionally balanced, very long aftertaste.
Finish: Attractive and evocative. Elegant and noble.
Customer Reviews:
I think some may not appreciate that this is a Rum made from molasses NOT sugar cane, which is what gives it such a distinctive flavour and smell. This is an exceptional Rum and for me with much more 'taste' than the more expensive XO. Having enjoyed rum around the world for more years than I would like to remember (or cannot remember?!) I consider the 23-year old Solera the best I have ever enjoyed - and I do enjoy it!!
- Richml, Today
As smooth as you will ever taste. You will not be disappointed.
- anonymous, 4 days ago
I don't really get the hype.
This is too sweet and artificial for me. I much prefer the XO (haven't tasted the new one, though) over this, as it seems somehow truer to the taste of rum and much less artificially sweetened.
I agree with other posters that this is probably best spent in desserts as a substitute to syrup!
- Rune Mariboe, 4 days ago
Well, I used to drink Rum a lot before I graduated to Scotch/Bourbon. I bought some here in Guatemala because of the hype. I am on my second glass (neat). It's a bit too sweet for me. I'll keep drinking and maybe I'll change my mind but it seems this would be fabulous in a rum cake..
- Pat, 24th Aug '11
I bought this to see if I could find a less expensive replacement for my favourite Havana Club 15. This isn't it. Whilst it shows some complexity, it does taste like a solera blend, the younger and older not quite gelling together. But mostly my gripe is that it is far too sickly sweet. If you want to pour it on ice cream, this is the rum for you, and it's probably quite good in cocktails, but I was disapointed in it as a sipping rum.
- RJ, 30th Jul '11
Amazing rum with fantastic aroma and such a wonderful taste. Hide yourself away with this and don't share it! Too good to share. The XO may well be better, but this is superb and nearly half the price. Also try the Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva. Different again but as good?? Maybe better....
- Andy - 12th July 2011, 12th Jul '11
This, Zaya and Ron Millionario XO are the absolute best in my humble opinion
- Pav, 8th Jun '11
I tasted this at a restaurant recently and I've been thinking about it ever since. It has a taste like nothing I have ever tasted before. Magnificent. I will be buying some post-haste!
- Varkko, 7th Jun '11
The best cuba libre i have tasted was made with ron zacapa XO...
- Alexander, 12th May '11
THis is one of those finit rums that CANNOT be adulterated with a mixer, its flavour is distinctive, yet characteristic of its origins, a superb rum at the listed price.
- Jason from NW London, 30th Jan '11
The greatest rum on Earth
- anonymous, 13th Dec '10
es nectar de los Dioses,definitivo: El mejor!!!!!!
- walker humerez bauer, 8th Jun '10
this is one of the very finest rums i have tasted, BUT, diplomatico extra reserva makes this seem bland - get the diplomatico!!!!!
- lardo, 23rd Apr '10
This is a spectacular rum, forged in the solera system like fine sherries, its depth of sweet woody flavours is really mind blowing
- P. Mandelson, 12th Mar '10
Sweet and tasty rum just outstanding
- anonymous, 4th Mar '10
hard to beat this 1!!!! excellent by abloke
- anonymous, 28th Feb '10
His Majesty The Rum! As for me even better than Zacapa XO.
- Vladimir, 22nd Feb '10
very good rum. tastes like christmas 9/10
- mr walkin, 18th Feb '10
Bacardi 8 really thats not even the same league...wow...thats in the minors were talking majors here...if u like a sipping rum this is it...you will no others
- G, 16th Jan '10
I recently bought the Zacapa after reading all the good reviews. As it often happens having great expectations, I was quite dissapointed. The rum is too sweet for me. It just doesn't compete with Bacardi 8 that has many more "down to earth" flavours.
