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On my way out of CR last week, I picked up a bottle of Zacapa Centenario XO rum at the airport. At $90, it's a steal, as it runs about $120 in the States, if you can find someone to special order it for you. As you may know, Zacapa is made in Guatemala. Well, this rum is the best rum I have ever tasted, and I have tasted the finest rums in the world. I always thought that Demerara 'El Dorado' (15 years old, from Guyana) was the best rum, but the Zacapa Centenario XO may be even better. Zaya used to be right up there amongst the best, until they moved from Guatemala to Trinidad a couple of years ago.
As a side note, Zacapa '23' used to be equal to Demerara 'El Dorado', but a couple of years ago, they started to run short of their more aged rums, so the '23' is not actually 23 years old, it is an amalgam of rums aged anywhere from 6 to 23 years (most likely nearer six years than 23). That is why I now believe the Demerara 'El Dorado' is better than the Zacapa '23'.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Hey Gringotim,
Thanks for the great info. I fell in love with Zacapa 23yo a couple years ago when I was in Roatan, and was happy when I found it in CR. It's hard to find in the states, but I have deffinately notice more marketing/availability recently. I also thought my tastebuds were just gone, as lately I started to not notice much difference between Zacap and Flor De Cana 12yo (my usual favorite).Where do you find Demerara El Dorodo? Is it available in the states? I may try the Zacapa XO. Salute.

I honestly can't tell the difference between the 23 and the XO.

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TheLurker...
Demerara El Dorado Special Reserve '15' can be found at finer liquor stores in the States, as well as a few online merchants. Several liquor stores here in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area have it in stock (about $35). I've also tried the El Dorado '21', which I had to have specially ordered by my favorite liquor store ($75). I actually prefer the '15' to the '21', but everyone has different tastes.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Fuzebox...
The Zacapa XO is indeed very similar to the '23'. The only real difference is that the XO has an additional (fifth) step in the aging process. The fifth, and final, step involves additional aging in French oak cognac barrels.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Gringotim,

Fifth step in the aging process??? Among my friends, I am considered a "rum snob". You sir, prove that I am a neophyte. Or maybe they just think I'm alcaholic. Either way, you know your booze.

It is nice to see another rum thread. I started one years ago that occasionally made it back to the front page. I rather like the Ron Centenario Fundacion Reserva Especial in the leather bottle. The XX--year aging removes a lot of the harshness that sugar cane squeezings can have. I'll have to look into trying one of these others.

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VITTORIO DE SICA

Gringotim,
How did you get the bottle back into the US? Did you pack it in your checked luggage or did the fact that you bought it after security allow you to carry it?

I know when coming into Miami or Atlanta if it's in your carry-on you have to repack it into your checked luggage to get it through security.

Wit

Thanks for the tip, I will try some. I like the Flor de Cana as well. I wish they had it in a spiced rum. I love spiced rum.

PURA VIDA!

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Livin' & Lovin' in Key Largo....oh....And the one in The Keys, too!

After landing in Ft. Lauderdale, prior to boarding my next flight (to Tampa), I transferred the rum from the carry-on box to my checked luggage.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Gringotim -- Zacapa Centenario XO rum – you have excellent taste.

LOL I know what the difference is. I was referring to the taste, and more importantly whether the improvement was worth paying 3x.

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I don't know how you could get much better than the Ron Centenario XX. The two pack deal at Duty Free is worth the stop.

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but your love don't pay my bills,
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Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Good choice. I go through nearly two bottles of Ron Centenario XX each year. Yumm!

if you ever get to guatemala they have a rum there that they do not make enough of to export... it's, IMHO better than the ZACAPA, got some downstairs, but don't remember the name... will check...