Ron Zacapa Centenario No. 23 Guatemalan Rum (75cl, 40%)

A Guatemalan rum made from first-press virgin sugar cane honey rather than molasses, then aged using the solera system, blending rums aged 6 to 23 years. It is matured at high altitude, around 2,300 metres above sea level, where the cooler climate slows evaporation. The producer is Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala. It is bottled at 40% ABV in a 750 ml bottle. The nose opens with caramel, vanilla, cacao and butterscotch, evolving into sherried richness with caramelised Brazil nuts, toasted hazelnut, toffee, banana and dried pineapple, with subtle blood orange, cherry and spice. The palate is rich and generous, with dried fruit and apricot, savory oak, nutmeg, leather, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, cinnamon and ginger. The finish is intricate, smooth and enduring, with honeyed butterscotch, wooded spice and dried fruit.