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Ron Zacapa XO rum

Ron Zacapa XO

Guatemala | Aged | 40% ABV

Ron Zacapa XO Rum is produced in the highlands of Guatemala where it is distillled from fresh cane juice. The rum is then aged from 6 to 23 years at 7544 feet above sea level at 62 °F (17 °C) using the solera process. The solera aging process incorporates barrels that previously held American whiskeys, sherries, wines and Cognac

The unique Ron Zacapa XO glass decantur features an impression of a woven band around the middle, which is in reference to the original hand woven palm leaf petate bottle cover that covered the bottle

8.6/10
815 ratings
That's some good stuff
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815 Ron Zacapa XO Ratings

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Paul B 🇺🇸 | 472 ratings
Posted over 5 years ago

Since I did not have much luck at all with their Zacapa 23 Solera, I was hesitant to plunk down about $90 US on a bottle of this. I tried to sample one pour at a few rum bars, but they were all out. So I walked into one of my favorite liquor stores this morning and this black box just begged me to take it home. My curiosity can be quite costly at times.

My bottle is of the newer design as shown in the photo. When poured into the snifter, it is a reddish mahogany color. The inside of the black box mentioned all of the different casks that were used for aging, including red wine. It supposedly has 26 gpl of added sugar and it's viscosity in the glass shows. Rums of between 6 and 25 years were used in the blend. The aroma is like a fine perfume. Too many complex flavors meld together in harmony, but are dominated by caramel and wood.

The closest rum that I would compare it to is Plantation XO 20th Anniversary at slightly less than half the price. No surprise here, since both are partially aged in cognac casks. As expected, Ron Zacapa XO is a few shades darker than the Plantation XO. Both have complex flavors, but the Plantation is more of fruit while the Ron Zacapa is of wood. If you blindfolded someone to test them side by side, I doubt anyone could tell which one is more expensive. It looks like I won't be buying Ron Zacapa XO again, but I still rate it as a 8. It is just not worth another $90 from me.

I started out ranking this rum as my third overall favorite, right behind Dictador XO Insolent and Dictador 20. Therefore, it starts out with a rating no higher than a 9 (which wound up back down to an 8). However, since it is heavily sweetened, I expect the flavors to change in the bottle over the next few weeks. Blame Christmas Eve and finishing off this bottle after only two weeks to show me it's excessive woody weaknesses.

Update June 14, 2020: I know that I had stated that I would buy no more of this rum, but after finishing a major photo scanning project during the pandemic lock down, I rewarded myself with another bottle of this rum since lots of concert refunds paid for it. Guess what? It lasted all of 5 days! But due to it's fancy bottle and heavy sugar dosing, this really should be reserved for guests who do not know anything about rum. I am now ready to knock my rating down to a 7.

Jonathan 🇵🇷 | 13 ratings
Posted almost 9 years ago

The XO is very smooth. It's rather expensive, but well worth it.

JoeVs 🇵🇹 | 11 ratings
Posted 7 years ago

An amazing rum. The best I've ever tried. Just for special occasions and to share with special friends.
The old Bottle is excellent as a basis for a lamp (when empty!). :-)

Dr. Brittlebone 🇸🇪 | 17 ratings
Posted almost 8 years ago

Zacapa XO 40% 40% Guatemala

Eye: Deep reddish mahogany

Nose: Starts with whiffs of stable and sty, ammonia and ethanol that numbs the upper inside of the nose. Then hedges like crushed thuja and hornbeam together with hazel. A peculiar fresh and "cool" scent that reminds me of spring. Very unusual in that respect. Moist soil, clear brook, new leather, hyacinths and lupines. Restrained scent that struggle behind a cloud of ethanol. Then a string of green lime. And then back to the flowers again, predominantly hyacinths and tulips now. Very intriguing smell in this one. Finishes with fragrances like Tabac, caramel and black tea.

Mouth: Developments of broad sweetness, much more than on the nose. Spreads honey, coffee, coconut butter and a plethora of very pleasant spices. Appealing exotic- and oriental elements through the whole experience. Beautifully balanced with a toasted and sweet central theme that lingers unexpectedly in a fresh and spirited fashion. It is long and ends with a welcome dry oakiness.

Reaction: What the smell didn´t manage to convey, the taste made up for. The mouth is excellent. It is a lovely rum that the producer must be very confident and content with. The intention is clear and obviously meticulously delivered. Here we have a complex nectar which is engaging, big and elegant at the same time. One has manage to create a rum that is immediately well received and ingratiating without being boring or overbearing. As an old whisky & cognac appreciator I sometimes find rum to be a little insipid and all too sweet but I think this one serve as a good ambassador for the stuff. It is in a good price range and is easy enough to find (at least in the Nordics). The bottle is very "elegant" which I don´t care for, but hey, who cares when it is up there with the classics?

92p

Price: 999 SEK
Tasted: 2016, in a Riedel Sommelier Cognac XO glass at room temperature.

Eric 🇹🇭 | 13 ratings
Posted over 8 years ago

Great value for money, honey nose and complex finish

Fedde van der Woude 🇳🇱 | 9 ratings
Posted over 8 years ago

Af half the price of the Abuelo Centuria (my absolute favoriete rum to date) it get's pretty close in smell and thickness. Not quite as rich in taste but XO still lingers longer than most. Smoother in the mouth than the 23 Zacapa its a must have bottle for a serious rum drinker.

Mathias Rönnblom 🇸🇪 | 3 ratings
Posted over 8 years ago

Some days this is my favorite rum in my cabinet. Other days the El Dorado 21 beats it, but most often not.
Love the complex, long aftertaste, with just the right amount of burn.

Rayden 🇮🇹 | 43 ratings
Posted over 8 years ago

I think is needless to describe what is perfection for us. The only thing I can say is: taste it and you'll love it!!! I got a bottle for my birthday, and after tasting it, I decided to keep it only for special occasions. Considering the quality, it costs even too little in my opinion! And also, great bottle, great casket...in one word: absolute perfection!

rgauthier 🇺🇸 | 4 ratings
Posted 9 years ago

My favorite rum so far. Great bottle presentation and the taste to match. Not too sweet but just right.

PaulB 🇬🇧 | 14 ratings
Posted 10 years ago

While visiting Guatemala all the locals kept tell me to try "Ron Zacapa Centenario" but the labelling is somewhat confusing & it appears that there's several different "Centenario's", typically 15 or 30 years old. The one I had was the 30 year old Ron Zacapa, Solera Gran Reserva Especial & it was excellent. Probably the smoothest Rum I've tasted, but with a wonderful flavour & a slightly spicy aftertaste that makes it delicious.

Rene Rum (PREMIUM) 🇨🇭 | 547 ratings
Posted 7 years ago

Wunderbarer Ron mit sehr schöner dunkler Mahagoni Farbe.
In der Nase eine ausgewogene Komposition von süssen Vanillenoten, edlen Hölzern und Früchten.
Im Gaumen spielt das Orchester weiter mit dunkler Schokolade, Trockenfrüchte, Karamell, Holz und noch
viele weitere Nuancen sind zu entdecken, sehr komplexer Ron.
Im Abgang gehen Träume in Erfüllung, süsse Schärfe, rote Beeren und noch mehr Holz.
Ein wahres Meisterwerk !

Wonderful Ron with very nice dark mahogany color.
In the nose a balanced composition of sweet vanilla notes, noble woods and fruits.
In the palate the orchestra continues to play with dark chocolate, dried fruit, caramel, wood and still many more nuances are to be discovered, very complex Ron.
The finish, a dreams come true, sweetness, red berries and even more wood.
A true masterpiece!




Brand Details

Name: XO
ABV: 40%
Type: Ron Zacapa
Raw Material: Unknown
Process: Pure blend (1 distillery)
Distillation: Unknown
Women Led Rum: No

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