Ron Zacapa Centenario 50th Anniversary Edition is a limited, North America-exclusive Guatemalan rum created for Zacapa's golden anniversary — a Sistema Solera blend of rums aged 8 to 24 years, finished in American white oak barrels charred with Guatemalan cacao and Cobán chili peels, bottled at 80 proof.
Founded in 1976, Ron Zacapa is crafted in Guatemala from virgin sugar cane honey and aged high in the mountains, more than 2,300 meters above sea level, where thin mountain air slows the interaction between spirit and wood. The house's Sistema Solera moves the rum through casks that previously held American whiskeys, sherry wines, and Pedro Ximénez wines, building the deep, rounded character Zacapa is known for. For the 50th Anniversary Edition, Master Blender Lorena Vásquez drew on ancient Guatemalan ceremonial traditions in which cacao and chili were combined in celebratory drinks: the finished blend rests in barrels charred with cacao skins and Cobán chili peels, a first for the house. Bottled at 40% ABV (80 proof) and presented in a commemorative canister with the signature petate band, handwoven from palm leaf by Guatemalan artisans and redesigned in vibrant anniversary colors.
Tasting Notes
Nose: Vanilla and caramelized fruit.
Palate: Wood and toffee meet aromatic spice, layered with roasted cacao and a delicate warmth from the Cobán chili, present as glow rather than heat.
Finish: Long and smooth, with toasted notes and gentle warm spice.
Specifications
Producer: Ron Zacapa (Master Blender Lorena Vásquez), Guatemala
Style: Aged Rum (50th Anniversary Edition, North America Exclusive)
Blend: Rums aged 8 to 24 years, Sistema Solera
Finish: American white oak charred with Guatemalan cacao and Cobán chili peels
ABV: 40% (80 proof)
Presentation: Commemorative canister with handwoven petate band
Size: 750mL
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is the 50th Anniversary Edition different from Zacapa 23?
Zacapa 23 is the core solera blend; the 50th Anniversary Edition starts from rums aged 8 to 24 years and adds a finish Zacapa has never used before — American oak barrels charred with Guatemalan cacao and Cobán chili peels — giving distinct roasted cacao and warm spice notes.
Is the rum spicy?
No — the Cobán chili contributes a delicate, warming spice rather than chili heat; think roasted cacao, toffee, and a gentle glow on the finish.
What is the petate band on the bottle?
It is handwoven from palm leaf by Guatemalan artisans, a Zacapa signature since the original 1976 bottling, reimagined here in a colorful commemorative design.
