Brand ambassador for Zacapa Rum, Rebecca Quinonez pours the rum neat.

Jamaica is known across the world as rum country and Appleton Rum, manufactured here, is the preferred brand. However, just over a week ago, Diageo introduced Guatemala's luxury rum, Zacapa to the island.

Zacapa Rum is the result of a unique combination of soil, climate and natural materials brought together with skilled distillation and a special high altitude of 2,300-miles-above-sea-level ageing process. To an island of people who enjoy partying while sipping on a glass of rum and coke, this Guatemalan brand will cater to a different type of rum drinker. According to its brand ambassador, Rebecca Quinonez, who came to assist with the product launch, "Zacapa is best served neat or on the rocks."

The luxury spirit brings two blends: Zacapa 23 and Zacapa XO. Quinonez said the rum has a uniqueness about it that is deeply embedded in the making and landscape coupled with the rich culture of Guatemala. She noted that with the country's fertile volcanic soil and climate, the process of development, ageing and bottling, create the ideal place to give birth to such a fine rum.

Every country that produces rum has its own unique culture.

"Aside from the rum's fantastic blend, the locals play a huge role in the entire package of Zacapa. Each bottle has a hand-made woven band (called petate in Spanish) that encircles the bottle," said Quinonez.

Zacapa 23

She said Zacapa 23 is an ultra premium blend of rums that is aged for between six and 23 years. It is crafted from virgin sugar cane and aged according to the traditional sistema solera, typically used for fine whiskies and sherries. Unlike most rums that are molasses based, Zacapa is made from the first pressing of sugar cane to create a pure and unique spirit. Zacapa 23 has a dark mahogany colour. It has a great intensity, with notes of sweet, fruity flavours, vanilla, almond, and chocolate, toasted wood and delicate hints of spice. Its taste is quite beautiful, dense yet exceptionally balanced, very long aftertaste and an attractive and evocative finish.

Zacapa XO

Zacapa XO is also made from the sweetest first-crushed virgin sugar cane. It is an ultra-premium blend of rum that commemorates the New Millennium.

Quinonez noted that the true connoisseur of rum will enjoy Zacapa XO straight up in a cognac glass. Zacapa XO is a refined blend of rums that ages between six and 25 years according to the traditional sistema solera, which previously held robust bourbon, delicate sherries, fine Pedro Ximenez wines and cognac.

It has a light mahogany colour with a smell of mature toasted oak, burnt caramel; dry roasted nuts, marzipan and orange peel, with delicate notes of honeysuckle. The taste is very refined and rum connoisseurs will appreciate the balance of sweetness, fruitiness, spice and spirit especially when entertaining on special occasions. The rum costs US$60 (J$5,400).

An attractive display of Ron Zacapa Rum. - photos by Winston Sill / Freelance Photographer