Ron Zacapa Centenario XO Solera (3. Edition)

Used to be one of my favorites, but now it's too sweet for me! Still a tasty and smooth rum.

This rum is a gorgeous, ruddy toffee color, perhaps a shade more amber than the standard 23. 8,3: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, ripe banana, light citrus, dark roast coffee and creamy milk chocolate, with a touch of cigar tobacco. 8,4:The palate is still bright with all that citrusy, sherry-driven fruit, some banana, although a rich layer of dark brown sugar underpins things, adding a silky depth and gentle complexity. Coffee notes, nutty and lightly spiced, some leather, dominate the mid-palate. 8,4: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. Edit:30.5.25, still nice for sipping.

Absolut flach und austauschbar, dazu gesüßt und mit kurzem Abgang. Für den Preis eigentlich eine Frechheit.

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

Saturated with sugar, for lovers of sweet rums ... Personally not interesting

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.

Viel zu dünn. Im Abgang merkt man den zugegebenen Zucker. Teurer Fusel. Mehr nicht.

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 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.

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)

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.

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!

Quite a nice nose dominated by caramel and vanilla, but wood and other aromas including prunes and some tropical fruit are not far away. The palate entry is acqueous and diluted, and when the aromas rise, it's mainly sweet aromas that dominate, caramel and molasses. The finish is surprisingly long, with a strong woodiness, but here too the caramel is far too present for my taste.

Angenehmer leicht gesüßter Rum Sicherlich eine Weiterentwicklung des standard Zacapa, preislich finde ich ihn aber zu hoch angesiedelt. In der Nase viel Vanille mit Eichenholz und eine fruchtige Note nach roten Früchten. Im Mund samtig, nicht beißend. Viel Vanille, etwas Karamell und eine schöne Holznote. Für den Einsteiger+ sicherlich eine schöne Option.

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.