Review: Ron Zacapa Edicion Negra
Review: Ron Zacapa Edicion Negra
Guatemala-based Zacapa is well-known for its iconic Zacapa 23 (and Zacapa XO) expressions, but less commonly seen is this third bottling, the “black” Zacapa Edición Negra. It’s made from a blend of rums aged 6 to 24 years, and is “inspired by the natural elements of Guatemala including the dark fire of its volcanoes.” Some of the rum is aged in “double charred American oak casks” — though I’m not entirely sure what that means — intended to create a bolder, richer, smokier experience.
The end result is solid, though not markedly different from Zacapa 23 — albeit 3% higher in abv. If you’re familiar with the standard-bearer, you’ll like this just fine, too.
That said, here are some tasting notes.
The nose is hearty but sweet, like all Zacapa tends to be. There’s clearly a healthy amount of sugar dosage here (as usual), but Zacapa seems to know what to do with the stuff. Instead of cloyingly sweet, the nose comes across like a well-sweetened cappuccino, featuring fresh coffee, almond milk, and all topped with toasted marshmallows. There’s a light smokiness here but it’s gentle, again more in that toasted/burnt sugar vein than anything from the campfire. There’s just a hint of cigar leaf-grassiness as the rum develops in the glass.
On the palate, the rum is really a classic Zacapa, just slightly elevated in proof, which is noticeable. More coffee, cola, and tobacco leaf are all evident. The sweetness turns its head from marshmallow toward a light maple note. I’m not always in love with maple notes in anything, but they work well enough here, as they’re kept in check enough to temper any overt saccharine qualities. A certain spice emerges as the finish builds, complementing a reprise of coffee and ample notes of chocolate.
Again, there’s lots of the same character here that you’ll find in Zacapa 23 (and even Zacapa XO), though it’s arguably filtered through a little more charred wood to give it a certain punchy, gritty quality. I imagine the extra alcohol, as slight as it is, is doing more of the heavy lifting, however.
86 proof.
A- / $70 / zacaparum.com [BUY IT NOW FROM CASKERS]
Ron Zacapa Edicion Negra
$110
