The Zacapa Royal Solera Gran Reserva Especial is an exquisite premium rum from the Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala distillery. Boasting an ABV of 45%, this exceptional spirit is distilled from sugar cane honey using a column still and is aged for up to 30 years. It offers a delightful aroma characterized by dried fruits, vanilla, caramel, and dark chocolate. The taste is rich and complex, with notes of caramel, sweetness, and a woody full-bodied flavor with hints of honey.
This rum is matured using the solera system and finished in French oak casks from Le Bois du Roy, imparting notes of roasted walnuts, ground almonds, dark chocolate, plums, treacle, and marzipan that linger on the finish. With aeration, this very dark rum profile takes on nuances akin to aged brandy, revealing notes of cherry pit, prune, and very candied vegetation. The oak opens up its fibers to let typical aromas of vanilla and sweet caramel blossom.
The aging process of Zacapa Royal receives special attention, utilizing barrels from the Allier, Nevers, Vosges, and Tronçais forests. These four forests are part of the 'forests of the king,' where oak barrels have been produced in limited quantities and reserved exclusively for the most remarkable vintages since the 13th century.
Zacapa Royal is a decadent Guatemalan rum that is very soft and syrupy, with a caramel flavor that envelops the palate swiftly. Toasted and roasted notes then dominate the taste buds, diffusing in all directions, with the sensation of alcohol being almost absent. This very sweet rum builds on a strongly toasted, roasted cask profile, with flame-blackened nuts delivering notes of sweet spices and toast as they cool.
Presented in a luxurious package, Zacapa Royal makes a perfect gift. This dark spirit hails from the Zacapa region in Guatemala, near the border of Honduras, and is aged at a high altitude of about 2,300 meters above sea level, in the so-called 'house above the clouds.' The maturation continues in the Solera system, which is typically used for Sherry or Brandy. The Royal Edition is assembled by an experienced team under the direction of master blender Lorena Vasquez, using particularly old cask contents. The finishing process is carried out in rare French oak barrels from the 'Le Bois du Roy' forest, which has been protected by the king for centuries.
The Zacapa Royal has a slightly stronger aroma due to its higher ABV of 45%, compared to Zacapa 23. It also exhibits a more pronounced woody profile and a richer taste with a significant load of sherry, honey sweetness, and spicy notes.
Opinions vary. Some find it to be exceptional and worth the investment, especially for its luxurious packaging and unique flavor profile. Others feel that it is overpriced and prefer other Zacapa offerings like the XO.
Key flavor notes include caramel, vanilla, dark chocolate, honey, and fruity elements. There are also roasted nuts, sweet spices, and toasted oak flavors.
Yes, despite its complexity, Zacapa Royal is approachable and enjoyable for beginners due to its balanced sweetness and smoothness.
Zacapa Royal is aged using the solera system and matured in barrels from the Allier, Nevers, Vosges, and Tronçais forests. The finishing process takes place in rare French oak barrels from the 'Le Bois du Roy' forest.
Overall, reviewers have mixed opinions about Zacapa Royal. Some appreciate its complex flavor profile and luxurious packaging, finding it exceptional when paired with a good cigar. Others feel it is overpriced and prefer other Zacapa offerings such as the XO. The rum is noted for its sweetness, which integrates well with flavors of vanilla, raisins, prune, apricot, oak, and subtle allspice. While some find it a bit too sweet and weak for their taste, it remains a recommended choice for beginners due to its approachable and enjoyable profile.
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