Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 blend going backwards

[paulF]

Hey guys,

Is it just me or Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 is tasting very different and not as good as a few years back?

After going through a few bottles, I'm feeling that it has become a lot harsher than before. Still sweet and great and all but simply not the amazing rum that used to hit the spot every time!

Any thoughts?

Cheers

[Maplepie]

They came out with loads of them recently, no?

Solario was the recent one. I'm so confused on the Ron Zacapa 23 anything nowadays... Need to actually discuss with a rum drinking about this later.

[Optic101]

Every bottle I try has a different taste, the last one I just opened is much sweater.

All nice, all interesting though.

[sengjc]

I have a bottle open that is a little on the sweet side, too much so for me. I do agree the blend does fluctuate.

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[cognacscotchcigars]

I was thinking the same thing. The 23 has definitely changed. I am only drinking the XO now because of the fluctuation in the 23.

[Optic101]

Prefer the XO too.

Just more to my taste.

[TypicalSituation]

Prefer the XO too.

Just more to my taste.

Love the XO. Probably my favorite liquor.

[paulF]

Cheers everyone.

From reading around, it seems that they are struggling to keep high enough stocks of their older rums due to constant rising demand. Don't know if that's true but hope they are not sacrificing quality for quantity...

XO is definitely better but bloody expensive! I think i prefer to buy the Diplomatico Exclusiva Reserva which isn't much more expensive than the 23 around OZ!

[TM-US]

You have to shop around- I was getting Zacapa XO for $55, can still get some for $60. When the 23 goes for $40, it's worth the premium. Maybe not for $100.

[KLF]

Zacapa 23 is 70$ a bottle, here in Israel. I thought of getting one next month but I have second thoughts now after reading this thread...

[IcedCanuck]

You have to remember that they do not age all the barrels to 23 years of age. I believe it was somewhere on their website I read that Zacapa 23 is a blended rum. All barrels used are aged to a maximum of 23 years but a minimum of much less. I believe the minimum was around six years but don't quote me on that. To me that means that the taste could change from batch to batch.

A 750ml bottle goes for around $80 where I live but worth every penny IMO.

[MIKA27]

Hey guys,

Is it just me or Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 is tasting very different and not as good as a few years back?

After going through a few bottles, I'm feeling that it has become a lot harsher than before. Still sweet and great and all but simply not the amazing rum that used to hit the spot every time!

Any thoughts?

Cheers

Mate, I been thinking the same! I grabbed a bottle just recently and it was alot harsher, less sweeter than the last bottle I had.

How is the Diplomatico in cmparison to the Zacappa?

[sengjc]

Diplomatico seemed to be better balanced when I tried it side by side with the Zacapa.

[SofaKing]

I probably drank 4 bottles over the summer and would agree that there are big swings in flavors. I purchased 6 bottles on sale for 32 USD (normally 44ish)but have recently found the XO for 68USD online in New Jersey. The XO is a different animal and a no brainer at 20$ more

[paulF]

@Mika, as much as i dislike saying this but Diplomatico is far better these days! At least it's consistent and tastes almost identical if not better than a good 23 Zacapa!

@ IcedCanuk , you are right. It is a blend but it uses the Solera system which is generally used to preserve consistency of a blend hence the disappointment in the past few bottles!

[MIKA27]

@Mika, as much as i dislike saying this but Diplomatico is far better these days! At least it's consistent and tastes almost identical if not better than a good 23 Zacapa!

@ IcedCanuk , you are right. It is a blend but it uses the Solera system which is generally used to preserve consistency of a blend hence the disappointment in the past few bottles!

Where'd you buy it from??

[paulF]

From nicks.com.au Mika

Worth paying them a visit or calling them first too just in case they don't have it in store

Cheers

[MIKA27]

From nicks.com.au Mika

Worth paying them a visit or calling them first too just in case they don't have it in store

Cheers

Ok cool - Yes I've purchased from Nicks before, great online store. Many thanks mate

[TM-US]

Ron Matusalem is another nice alternative to Zacapa if the 23 is getting worse.

[Daz]

I am not as taken with zacapa as the majority seem to, tasted watery and lifeless...but I was being intimate with el dorado 15 and diplomaticos er at the time so that probably explains it.

[Brah]

I drink Zacapa and I too notice difference flavours from bottle to bottle. Because it's a Solera rum and assuming that different years produce varying qualities of sugar cane crops one would think flavours would vary from year to year.

Regardless, I love it!

[Arkay]

You have to remember that they do not age all the barrels to 23 years of age. I believe it was somewhere on their website I read that Zacapa 23 is a blended rum. All barrels used are aged to a maximum of 23 years but a minimum of much less. I believe the minimum was around six years but don't quote me on that. To me that means that the taste could change from batch to batch.

A 750ml bottle goes for around $80 where I live but worth every penny IMO.

You hit it on the head--the blend does change.

[TM-US]

With the Solera system, young spirits are always being brought in to mix with the older spirits. Zacapa 23 has 23 yr. old rum as the oldest rum, not the youngest. The "age" on rums is backwards and not considered an age statement, hence the ability to label it strangely, due to the solera system.

[paulF]

One of the main reasons of any Solera system is to maintain consistency at least relatively and this is why i'm so disappointed with Zacapa 23. The blend have changed so much that they might as well call it something different!