Zacapa Edicion Negra 43

Zacapa Edicion Negra is, like all the rums from the Guatemalan distillery, a solera aged rum. Its particularity is that it has been aged in 4 different casks, one of which is made of oak and has been heated beforehand.

Nico's tasting notes

Summary: caramel - toasted wood - molasses - nuts - vanilla - round

The nose of this rum is like a candy. At first caramel, then barley sugar, the cane sugar candy can be tasted in several forms. The assertive toasted woody notes then bring more strength, they are matched by a slightly smokey and burnt molasses. The woodiness seems to have released some vanilla through its toasting, but for the moment the empyreumatic side leaves little room for this sweetness. Indeed, the charcoal and roasted coffee are much more at home in this rather brown atmosphere. Dates, walnuts and figs are also at home here. A touch of cocoa brings them together in a sort of beggar's wagon, though without candied fruit.
By letting the rum slide over the rim of the glass, the candy becomes fruitier and leaves a little more room for the vanilla. But soon enough, the powdery nuts and spices come back to tickle the nostrils. The toasted wood comes in, sweet and caramelised, but also dry and vegetal (dried flowers). This wood takes the lead, it is burnt and dominates a rum with a stripped and light heart. The fruits have disappeared for the moment, they will come back to find the balance with some rest.

The palate is faithful to the nose, with woody caramel (or is it the other way around?), molasses and roasted notes. The balance is there, the rum is rather well ordered. It retains a sense of lightness at its core, the cask has really been allowed to express itself. The spices and caramel continue to flow, softened by a benevolent vanilla.

The finish is very light, with a caramel flavour that picks up all the flavours encountered from the beginning.