Objective Notes

Extremely Smooth (on the RnD scale of Harsh-Smooth-Very Smooth-Extremely Smooth)

Zacapa  Centenario 15  Años Rum displays a medium-dark amber in color due to its extended aging in oak casks.  A complex aromatic bouquet is discovered including vanilla, raisins, brown sugar, honey, with less pronounced mild clove, a slight paraffin and dry tobacco wafts in the air. The first taste introduces a silky smooth medium body. Flavors spread quickly over the tongue and palate bringing a velvety sweet and slightly warming sensation. Flavors found are buttery vanilla, citrus, oak, subdued white pepper, and a praline cheesecake-like sensation.   The deep finish is smooth, not overly sweet, reinforcing the tasting experience, long and delightful.

Anecdotal Notes

Zacapa Centenario 15 Años is made from extracted juice from sugarcane which possesses a sugar concentration of 70%-78% after evaporating the water. As a comparison, the sugar content of Molasses is about 5%. It’s distilled and stored for long term aging in its special cellar infrastructure which is one of the largest in the Americas. These special cellars where light, temperature, humidly, and even sound is controlled, results in very controlled environment where much less evaporation loss occurs (poor angles). Guatemalan rums are called “high rums” as they aged at an altitude of 7600 feet in white oak barrels. The bottle is identical to its older sibling with the trademark woven palm leaf ring around the mid-section.

Taster’s Opinion

Roger - Zacapa Centenario 15 Años is an outstanding rum that is becoming difficult to find. It’s being replaced by a solera version of the rum. If you can find a bottle of it I’d pick it up (all that you can get). I found mine on St. Kitts near the dock at a shop in the Pelican Mall while on a sailing trip to Grenada.  It is best enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

Dave - Ron Zacapa 15 Años is an excellent rum, overshadowed by its slightly older siblings.  Now discontinued, therefore increasingly difficult to find, stocks are limited to what is on hand in your liquor store.  My advice is to purchase Zacapa 15 Años every time you uncover it, lest another great rum slips into history.

Taster's Rating (10 is best):  Roger - 9 Flasks; Dave - 8.5 Flasks 

Most recently tasted by: Roger and Dave in December, 2009 in RnDs North and South Tasting Room.

*750ml unless otherwise stated.