Ron Zacapa Centenario XO Solera (3. Edition)

"This nice sipper has to rest for a while before nosing or you'll get a punch of alcoholic blast. The nose is wonderfully smooth even velvety I'd say. Smoky wood and fruity with toffee and spices. The palate is complex and very well balanced with smoky oak and spices and a hint of the cognac cask it was finished in. The finish is long and sweet with spices and coffee and once again a hint of the cognac cask."

"In its own way, its an enjoyable rum, an after dinner dessert rum maybe. Very smooth and sweet, Caramel, toffee, chocolate, very easy to drink for sure. I don't find much oak influence despite the supposed 25 years of ageing (sarcasm 😄). I can see why a non rum person would find it enjoyable, it's very approachable. I guess not every rum needs to be an ester loaded hampden or a full of tar Caroni! I was given this bottle as an end of year gift from a company supplier and decided to give it a try straight away."

"Clearly too sweet for me but more pleasant than its cheaper brand brothers. Overall, however, not a particularly differentiated flavor profile. The sweetness dominates here too, with a little vanilla, toffee and wood. Once is enough."

"A decent solera. But far too expensive."

"Nice bottle. In my opinion, however, there are many better alternatives for the price."

"Haven’t tried this bottle in years and it’s been in the back of the cabinet behind more interesting bottles. Obviously my sweet tooth days are over. This is too rounded and tamed down by the high sugar content for me. Also I’m used to a lot higher ABV nowadays. … now a year later and I agree with myself. - Another two years since my last tasting and… this is boring… The nose it a lot better than the mouth."

"The taste of oak cask clearly penetrates, but also notes of caramel and a sweet touch of vanilla. The aftertaste is long and very pleasant."

"Extreme raisin. Very reminiscent of Armagnac and cognac. In addition, a slight sweetness that unfortunately comes artificially. Otherwise, this rum would have gotten from me a 90 rating"

"This rum is a gorgeous, ruddy toffee color, perhaps a shade more amber than the standard 23. 8,5:The nose, unsurprisingly, evokes more age, as well, with deeper notes of aged wine and seasoned oak that pair well with elements of dried fig, sticky prune, dark roast coffee, and creamy milk chocolate. 8,7:The palate is still bright with all that citrusy, sherry-driven fruit, although a rich layer of dark brown sugar underpins things, adding a silky depth and gentle complexity. Coffee notes, nutty and lightly spiced, dominate the mid-palate. 8,7:Before a reprisal of fruit on the long finish, this time more Cognac-driven with golden stone fruits and some poached pear.It becomes drier at the end. Here is 23 more rounded than XO. All told, no matter the additives, here and there, it’s only a bit more impressive than the standard Zacapa 23, but that’s still saying something. A great special occasion sipping rum, a classic, as Mercedes Benz among the cars. Of course, if you can spare the shelf space, inspite a high price tag."

"Sweet and nutty flavors are characteristic and linger on the palate. Very smooth on the palate with a medium finish. The finish is clean with little alcohol or spice. Unfortunately, when the bottle was emptied over 70%, the rapid aeration resulted in a somewhat gritty smell and reduced flavor. Nevertheless, this is a high quality rum that is easily accessible for rum beginners!"

"Many years ago, this was the Rum that drawed me away from single malts. Smooth, balanced, subtle sweetness. Whatever one might say, it’s a very balanced, smooth and of course easy sipping rum. But is Jamaica really that better because we feel more cool when drinking the hyped stuff? Is it bad because it’s not main stream anymore (well, in the world’s bars it is). Of course Diageo didn’t do any good to it. Nose is subtle and almost not present, but there is almonds, caramel, a smooth flavor. On the palate very balanced, smooth, chocolate, mocca, a nice sweetness, caramel. And even a smooth finish. It’s not challenging, not complex, no esters (but most destillers of whatever spirit don’t want esters as with any other alcohol than rum it’s a sign for bad quality - even if i like them)"

"Quite good and drinkable, but of course sweet. With Zacapa, however, the price is simply not right."

"Nur kurz verkostet auf dem Rum&co Jubiläum. Vielleicht hätte der Rum mehr Zeit gebraucht. So konnte ich ihn lediglich als einen angenehm zu trinkenden, nicht zu süßem Rum bezeichnen. Kaum etwas besonderes"

"Despite the usual sweetness, there is enough room for gingerbread, vanilla, raisin, almond, something oriental, coffee and a little wood. Really great and definitely better value for money than the Royal."

"Früher einer meiner Lieblinge, inzwischen mir zu süß! Dennoch ein leckerer und runder Rum."