Ron Zacapa 23 is among the most celebrated sipping rums in the world, a richly layered Guatemalan spirit aged high above the clouds, and one of the most luxurious neat pours on our list at Grappa in Queen Anne.
About the Distillery
Ron Zacapa hails from Guatemala, where it is crafted from the first pressing of sugarcane in the country’s lowlands and then matured in the highlands. Its aging warehouses sit on the Fraijanes plateau at roughly 2,300 meters above sea level — a setting the brand calls aging “above the clouds.” The house has long been guided by its master blender, whose patient stewardship shapes the rum’s signature elegance.
Style & Production
Zacapa is distilled not from molasses but from concentrated first-press sugarcane honey, which carries more of the cane’s natural aromatics. It is matured using the Sistema Solera, a fractional blending method borrowed from sherry production, in which older and younger rums are continuously married across tiers of barrels. The cool, thin air of high-altitude aging slows maturation, producing a more delicate and refined profile than hot lowland climates. The 23 in the name refers to the oldest rum in the solera.
Tasting Notes
The nose is generous and inviting, with honey, butterscotch, dried fruit, and orange peel. On the palate it is silky and full, layering caramel, dark chocolate, raisin, and vanilla with a gentle spice. The finish is long, warm, and beautifully smooth — refined rather than heavy, a true after-dinner indulgence.
What to Pair It With
Its honeyed, chocolate-laced depth is made for dessert. Pair it with our Flourless Chocolate Cake for an exquisite match of cocoa and caramel, or with Mama’s Tiramisu, where the vanilla and dried fruit meet espresso. It is also a graceful close to a Charcuterie Board. Explore the full dine-in menu for more.
How It’s Served at Grappa
We pour Ron Zacapa 23 neat, the way a solera-aged rum deserves, or in a cocktail, at $17.
FAQ
Where is it from?
Ron Zacapa is from Guatemala, where it is aged in highland warehouses on the Fraijanes plateau at around 2,300 meters above sea level.
What does it taste like?
It is silky and full, with honey, butterscotch, caramel, dark chocolate, dried fruit, and vanilla on a long, smooth finish.
What does the 23 mean?
It refers to the oldest rum in the Sistema Solera blend, the fractional aging method that marries older and younger rums together. Not every drop is 23 years old.
When you are ready, book a table, browse the cocktail & spirits list, and the dine-in menu.
