{"product_id":"ron-zacapa-centenario-edicion-negra-solera-rum","title":"Ron Zacapa Centenario Edición Negra Solera Rum 750ml","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eRon Zacapa Centenario has spent decades building one of the most recognized names in premium aged rum with its celebrated Zacapa 23 — and Edición Negra was built to explore an entirely different, darker side of that same house style. \"Inspired by the natural elements of Guatemala, including the dark fire of its volcanoes,\" Edición Negra takes the same Solera-aged foundation that made Zacapa 23 famous and pushes it further into genuinely smoky, woody territory through an additional, final maturation in double-charred American oak casks — barrels that previously held American whiskey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe rum is a marriage of distillates aged between 6 and 24 years, matured through the traditional Solera method across a rotating series of former bourbon, sherry, and Pedro Ximénez wine casks — a cascading system in which rum drawn from the oldest cask is replaced by rum from the next-oldest, ensuring the blend's average age and complexity steadily deepens over time. All of this maturation happens at the legendary \"house above the clouds,\" Zacapa's traditional rum warehouse perched at 2,300 meters above sea level, where the cooler mountain air slows evaporation and gives the rum a genuinely different aging character than sea-level Caribbean rum production. Master Blender Lorena Vasquez, known for creations that are, in her own words, \"always powerful in character, appearance,\" oversees every stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eEdición Negra earned 91 Points from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. Christopher Null's independent review at Drinkhacker offered a candid, useful take: \"the nose is hearty but sweet, like all Zacapa tends to be... 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.\" His honest verdict: \"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.\" The official house notes describe caramelized fruits, plums, and raisins with smooth smoky notes on the nose, developing into woody, spicy, smoky flavors balanced by chocolate and dried fruit, closing bold, smooth, and persistent. This is Zacapa's own darker, smokier expression of a formula that's already earned genuine acclaim — a rum built specifically for drinkers who want that same house character with real added intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eRon Zacapa Centenario was created in 1976 by Dr. Alejandro Burgaleta, a doctor and chemist, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Zacapa, a town in eastern Guatemala. The brand is produced by Rum Creation and Products, a subsidiary of Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala, and distributed internationally by Diageo. All Zacapa rums are aged using a \"dynamic solera\" method, inspired directly by the traditional Spanish solera system used for centuries to age sherry: new rum is continuously added to older rum across a rotating series of casks, meaning no single bottle carries one uniform age, but rather a blended average built from that ongoing cascade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eEdición Negra is a marriage of rums aged between 6 and 24 years, first matured through the Solera method across former bourbon, sherry, and Pedro Ximénez wine casks, then given a final extra-aging period in a selection of double-charred American oak casks previously used for American whiskey — a distinguishing final step that produces the rum's characteristic smoky intensity and pronounced woody, spicy character, clearly contrasting with the caramel-forward profile of the house's flagship Zacapa 23. All aging takes place at 2,300 meters above sea level, at the traditional Zacapa rum warehouse known as the \"house above the clouds.\" Every stage of production is overseen by Master Blender Lorena Vasquez. Originally released specifically for the Travel Retail market before broader distribution followed. Bottled at 43% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUltimate Spirits Challenge — 91 Points\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChristopher Null, Drinkhacker (extended independent review):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"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'... 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. 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. 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.\"\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHearty but sweet, with caramelized fruits, plums, and raisins leading, joined by smooth smoky notes. Cold brewed coffee, nougat, caramel, and baking spice add further depth — a healthy sugar dosage present throughout, characteristic of the broader Zacapa house style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWoody, spicy, and smoky, balanced by chocolate and dried fruit. More coffee, cola, and tobacco leaf come through relative to Zacapa 23, with the sweetness shifting from marshmallow toward a light, well-integrated maple note. Dense and full-bodied throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBold, smooth, and persistent, with a certain spice building as it develops, complementing a reprise of coffee and ample chocolate notes. Long and satisfying, with genuine intensity relative to the house's flagship expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"overflow-x-auto w-full px-2 mb-6\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"min-w-full border-collapse text-sm leading-[1.7] whitespace-normal\"\u003e\n\u003cthead class=\"text-left\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eSolera-Aged Rum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e43%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge Range\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eBlend of rums aged 6-24 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eRum Creation and Products (Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDistributor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eDiageo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eGuatemala\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand Founded\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e1976, by Dr. Alejandro Burgaleta\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaster Blender\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eLorena Vasquez\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAging Method\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eDynamic Solera — ex-bourbon, sherry, Pedro Ximénez casks, finished in double-charred American oak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAging Location\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\"House above the clouds\" — 2,300 meters above sea level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal Market\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eTravel Retail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eUltimate Spirits Challenge 91 Points\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSister Products\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eZacapa 23 · Zacapa XO\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eA darker, smokier, more intensely woody sibling to Zacapa's flagship 23-year expression\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eCaramelized fruit, plum, raisin, smoke, chocolate, coffee, cola, tobacco leaf, maple\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\" class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDark chocolate desserts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eGrilled or smoked meats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAged hard cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eDried fruit and nut boards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServing Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"auto\"\u003eBest enjoyed neat or on the rocks; the smoky intensity also makes it a distinctive substitute in classic dark spirits cocktails.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Southern","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":1465493848082,"sku":null,"price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Ron_Zacapa_Centenario_Edici_n_Negra_Solera_Rum_750ml.jpg?v=1785467076","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/ron-zacapa-centenario-edicion-negra-solera-rum","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}