Zaya Gran Reserva 12-Year

Dark color with a faint aroma of vanilla. It is definitely enjoyable as a sipping rum. First sips are warm and smooth with an enjoyable faint vanilla finish.

While sippably smooth thanks to its high sugar content, it's basically a glorified vanilla extract. It desperately lacks the depth one would expect for a rum of this age (and price). About as disappointing as most other South American column stilled rums.

In my honest opinion this is the best bottle of rum on the market. It’s absolutely perfect. The 15 is very nice but doesn’t quite capture the same profiles. Don’t let the price fool you (if you can find this bottle) it drinks like a $250 bottle. 5 stars from me all day long.

According to below reviews, Zaya changed from Guatemala to Trinidad and quality dropped. The bottle I just finished is from Trinidad and it has a woven neck ring. It's a good sipping rum, on the sweet side. I liked it.

Très vanille et caramel xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tento rum som si kupoval s malou dušičkou i očakavaním, keďže vanilku v rumoch príliš nevyhladavam. O to väčšie bolo moje prekvapenie,keď som Zayu ochutnal a našiel krásne vybalancovany rum s príjemnou,nie prehnanou sladkostou. Cítiť v ňom stále rum a master blender si dal záležať na jeho harmónii. Určite všetkým doporučujem,je chutný, rozpoznateľný medzi ostatnými.

Been sold this as good stuff in fancy restaurants. Received as a gift and promptly exchanged. Tasted many times when people show up with THIS.... to a rum tasting evening.... PASS..

Notes of butterscotch and vanilla, but cheap candy versions predominate along with heavy clove spice flavors. It’s sweet and lacks subtlety.

Ok, but tastes better when cut with ice/water. Heavy vanilla flavor overall. Rich, but look elsewhere if vanilla notes are not your thing.

You can really taste the vanilla and sugar. I’ve had worse. Not bad at this price

Line this up next to rums that are two to three times the price, do a blind pour, and have people you respect rank them. The Zaya will be in the running every time. I did this with Ron Zacapa XO, Appleton Estate 21, and Ron Abuelo Centuria. People picked Zaya in their top two and three. It never beat the Abuelo. The taste along with the price, elevates the rating for me.

I like the taste of vanilla, caramel and others. A good rum but with some artificial tone.

This review is for the old formula which they have apparently changed - and unfortunately not for the better. The old formula comes in a bottle with a woven wicker sleeve, cursive writing, and a cork top. So if you find a bottle of Zaya with a wicker sleeve, get it; if it doesn’t have the wicker sleeve pass it over for now. This was my favorite rum until I tried Plantation XO. If you didn’t know any better and picked up a glass of this blindfolded you could be forgiven for thinking you were drinking a smoother more subtle version of vanilla cherry coke with a hint of oak. My only issue with it is the finish. Towards the end of a glass it leaves a slight pucker but it otherwise an outstanding rum. I have heard the new formula is not nearly as good and is overly sweet. This review is for the original formula which Zaya should return to, hopefully.

*Post edit: I tried the new variation and it is definitely sweeter but not overly so. I still find it delightful. The new variation I would rate a solid 7.9. Only slightly too sweet to be an 8 but still leagues better than most rums.

風味は非常にエレガントで、鞣し革や、ウッドのニュアンスが特徴的です
甘めなので、葉巻、モンテクリストと一緒にやると最高です。

Wenn es noch gehabt hätte, hätte ich auch einen gekauft, aber der Erich hat ihn mit weggekauft.

En meget fint rom, men den kommer aldrig helt op at ringe.

Fin rom, dejlig sød som jeg kablede det. Lidt anderledes hvilket ikke gør noget. Ganske fin til prisen

If you want an alcoholic version of Vanilla Coke, try this one.

Amazing vanilla on the nose. Smooth going down but not very complex.

Finished the list with an old classic. Easy to find, cheap, but wonderful.

Velmi mne nadchl, nasládlý, voňavý, výborný, top, má své jisté místo v baru

This rum is great for mixing and the price. If you like sipping rums I guess this could work but I like it with a splash of mexican coke. It has added sugars and is a bit thick but it’s a great value rum.

A solid rum. But there are many others I’d spend my money on besides Zara.

What i can say.... vanilla... vanilla... vanilla... spicy and sweet... sweet and rich....i like it ...i like it a lot.