Brand
Zacapa
Zacapa is a Guatemalan premium rum brand, founded in 1976. The range is distinguished by the use of first-press sugarcane juice, a fermentation process using a yeast strain derived from pineapple, and an aging approach inspired by the Solera system in high-altitude warehouses known as 'House Above the Clouds'.
- Zacapa (brand name); production/activities distributed across several locations in Guatemala · Guatemala (production and finishing in multiple locations; high-altitude aging warehouses) · Guatemala
- Since 1976
- 10 products
The story
Zacapa was created in 1976 to commemorate the centenary of the city of Zacapa. The brand is part of Guatemala's spirits tradition and has been involved in international commercial agreements (including distribution partnerships with parties linked to Diageo). From raw material production to the bottle, Zacapa reports involvement of multiple communities and facilities across Guatemala (for example Retalhuleu for raw material, Jocotán for the artisanal petate bands, and Mixco for bottling).
Production philosophy
To enhance local raw materials and artisanal craftsmanship, combining selected aging techniques by the master blender to achieve complex aromatic profiles; to support local communities through practices that involve female artisans (the weavers of the petate bands) and to maintain a quality- and culturally-oriented approach to the product.
Territory
Guatemala: the brand takes its name from the city/province of Zacapa; various stages of the supply chain take place in Guatemalan locations such as Retalhuleu (sugarcane), Jocotán (petate bands), Mixco (bottling) and high-altitude aging facilities.
Production method
Zacapa uses juice from the first pressing of sugarcane (not molasses). Fermentation employs a yeast strain derived from pineapple. After distillation, the distillates undergo blending and aging based on a Solera-inspired (dynamic Solera) system and are finished in mountain warehouses ('House Above the Clouds').
Ageing
Solera system (dynamic Solera-inspired system) with high-altitude aging in the 'House Above the Clouds' (approximately 2,300 m a.s.l.), where the cooler, more humid climate affects maturation.
Characteristics
- Type
- Brand
- City
- Zacapa (brand name); production/activities distributed across several locations in Guatemala
- Categories
- Guatemalan rum
- aged rum (Solera system)
- premium rum brand
- Raw materials
- sugarcane juice (first press)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- American oak barrels (ex-American whiskey)
- charred American oak barrels
- barrels that previously held Oloroso Sherry
- barrels that previously held Pedro Ximénez
- French oak barrels (ex-Cognac)
- Representative products
- Rhum Zacapa 12 Ambar 100cl
- Rhum Zacapa 23 Solera 70cl - Giftbox
- Rhum Zacapa La Armonia 70cl - Giftbox
- Rhum Zacapa La Pasion 70cl - Giftbox
- Rhum Zacapa Royal 70cl - Giftbox
- Rhum Zacapa XO 70cl - Giftbox
- Ron Zacapa Centenario 23Yo - 70cl
- Ron Zacapa Centenario 25Yo - 70cl
- Ron Zacapa Centenario Solera 23Yo - 100cl
- Ron Zacapa Etichetta Nera 23Yo - 70cl
What makes it distinctive
- Use of first-press sugarcane juice (not molasses)
- Fermentation using a yeast strain derived from pineapple
- Aging through a dynamic Solera-inspired system in high-altitude warehouses ('House Above the Clouds')
- Recognized master blender (Lorena Vásquez)
- Involvement of local artisans for the petate bands that adorn the bottles
- International partnerships/agreements for global distribution