Zaya Grande Reserva 16-Year

Another great rum from Trinidad. Smooth and opens up nicely

My liquor store has been out of the Zaya 12-year for about a month as have other stores around town so when I first saw the bottle with the different label I didn't even think to look at the age. I just thought that Patron was relabeling.

Actually, on first sip, I was a bit upset. I thought that my beloved Zaya had done a switcheroo and changed the recipe on me, just like they did with Pyrat Rum, originally from the Island of Anguilla in the British West Indies. Now, who knows?

I immediately noticed that the finish was not as long as before, the viscosity was thinner and the caramel/vanilla flavors were a bit more pronounced. But like any good soldier, I plowed forward and moved neatly into the Zaya 12-year groove that I know and love. Once I looked at the bottle and understood the age of what I was drinking, my faith in all things right in this world, was quickly restored.

I always drink my Zaya strait accompanied by a well-aged Cuban cigar and a good book. Duration: 2+ hours, at least 2-3 times a week. I drink Zaya exclusively when I smoke cigars and would love to discover something else just as tasty, different or better.

Similar to 12 years old... Definitely vanilla taste...with spice...rich and little bit oily.

View: Pours light golden brown.

Nose: Smooth vanilla and oak notes

Initial Tasting: Sweet vanilla, but natural, not gimmicky

Body: warm vanilla

Fade: slight burn on the back end, but vanilla holds true

Overall: Excellence achieved. Great for sipping, as well as with Coke or ginger beer

Very sweet, thankfully that is what I prefer.
Initial flavours of pineapple and butterscotch. Not sure its worth the price I paid however.

So I’ve had zaya 12 and thought the 16 would be better, instead I’m a bit disappointed. Certainly similar but the 16 seemed to have almost an artificial vanilla taste. A bit plasticy at first. Not a bad rum, just expected something at least a little better than the 12

A smooth tasting rum. There is a strong vanilla taste with a peppery finish. It’s a bit sweeter but not overly done. A quality sipping rum.

Très bon rhum.
Arome de vanille et de caramel.
Léger pas trop puissant Petites notes sucrées. Finale Pas très longue en bouche

I like this one for sipping smooth with no harsh finish, Good after dinner dessert rum.

I can understand why some do not like this rum. It is very sweet and is comparable in terms of niche it fills to Bumbu original. This rum is amazing for mixing with its sweet molasses flavor with strong hints of vanilla. I prefer this to Bumbu for mixing as this I find to be a more rich and less fruity taste. Some people have an issue spending this much for what essentially is a premium mixing rum. That depends on you. However, for me, this is a fair deal for what to me is the best rum to mix there is.