| Product: |
Ron Zacapa Centenario Rum |
| Date: |
27/03/08 (90 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Fantastic rum, enough said
Disadvantages: Unfortunately has just been bought by Diageo
Ron Zacapa Centenario
Ron Zacapa Centenario rum is a twenty three year old rum from Guatemala in central America. It has won a whole host of awards including gold medals for five years running at the Caribbean Spirit awards. In recognition of this achievement the rum received a platinum award and in 2001 won best spirit of the year.
-History-
In the early 1900's a whole host of entrepreneurial families individually established their own alcohol producing companies. In 1944 alcohol was providing a large part of Guatemala's economy so an integration of companies happened and standards were set. In 1959 this integration went one step further and became a unification so that one company had control over marketing, sales and distribution of Guatemalan spirits. Currently La National controls 98% of all spirits produced and sold in Guatemala.
-The Rum-
Where it says that it is 23 years of age it really means that 23 is the average age of the blend of the different rums in the bottle. It sits at 80 proof, which in our language is 40% alcohol.
The key to the incredible flavour of Ron Zacapa Centenario is in it's location. The distillation is carried out at sea level then the rum is transported up a mountain to a height of 7650 feet where the rum is stored in a cave. The cave has a capacity of 2.6 million litres.
The distillery is very environmentally friendly in that gasses that are naturally produced by the distillation process are all fed back into the system and are burnt off providing enough power to run the distillery and some spare. Also, all spent water is piped to local crops and farms for irrigation and fertilization.
The bottle is hand wrapped in royal palm leaves which makes it stand out on any bars gantry.
--Tasting Notes--
-Colour-
The colour of Ron Zacapa is a dark caramel, or mahogany. This is down to the length of time the rum has spent in casks. Fresh oak casks produce a darker spirit with a greater oak flavour than an old used cask. For these reasons fine cognacs are always matured in casks that have been used at least four or five times previously as only a very subtle hint of oak is required to balance the flavours.
-Nose-
When nosing the spirit I can smell caramel, maple syrup, vanilla and hints of chocolate. These smells are all classically attributed with Ron Zacapa Centenario and it's easy to tell why. Even though everyone's palette is different we all seem to pick up on the same smells in this particular rum.
A good tip for when nosing drinks is to smell the back of your hand when changing between drinks. This action cleanses the palette ensuring that there is little residual smell from the previous spirit or otherwise in your nose.
-Taste-
The taste is very similar to the nose, hints of chocolate, vanilla and maple syrup. The drink is incredibly smooth and is balanced perfectly. No one flavour is predominant.
-Treacle Recipe-
This is a classic rum cocktail and brings out the individual flavours of the rum but removes the harshness of the alcohol itself. If you enjoy the flavours of a rum but find drinking it neat a bit overpowering then try a treacle before you fill the glass with coke...
Ingredients:
2 Measures Ron Zacapa Centenario
Gomme sugar
Fresh pressed apple juice
Angostura bitters
Glass:
Chilled Rocks glass (Short)
Method:
Put a few ice cubes in the glass with a few drops of bitters, the first measure of rum and some sugar syrup. Stir with a bar spoon. As you are stirring gradually add ice cubes, one after another, ensuring the glass stays cold and that the spirit is continually moving. Add the second measure of rum, some more ice and, if needed, a little more sugar. Stir as before and when the glass is full of ice - providing you are happy with the flavour - top up with the apple juice. It should be no more than 1 measure of apple. Garnish with a tiered apple wedge.
Variations on the theme are nice. Some people stir in a piece of orange ring from the beginning, some add a little chocolate liquor...
If you want any cocktail suggestions or ideas feel free to send me a message.
-Price-
My bar sells it at £3 per 25ml measure. However, searching around Glasgow I have found that we are the cheapest by £1 at it tends to be between £4 and £5.
It is difficult to find in the shops but looking online it is available for £51.95 from the usual drinks websites. It is available cheaper from specialised drinks wholesalers though.
-Personal Opinion-
I can safely say that this is currently my favourite rum of all time. I have tried many rums and none have ever been quite as smooth and well balanced as Ron Zacapa Centenario. The flavours work well in so many different drinks. I personally like it neat over some ice or in a treacle. If you see Ron Zacapa Centenario in a bar just try it! Lovely stuff...
Summary: Try it!
|
|
