I’d love to read the article(s) about Zacapa’s solera system and the true average ages. In all my research I found very little information.

Ron Zacapa was never really 23 years old – I definitely had the feeling, that 10 years ago, before the whole hype it taste different. However it is still damn good – and I am calling it still one of the best rums of the world.
And if it comes to say a bad word about Zacapa, it will be, that they still hold on their stupid age statement.

Actually Ron Zacapa systema solera 23 is around 6 years old. There is a XO [which will be 8 years old or what they say 25 solera] – but the aromas are much more muted and one dimensional [though it is even smoother] – I would always go for the 23.
The uniqueness comes from the use of different barrels [reused but untreated bourbon, charred bourbon, manzanilla sherry and P.X. sherry] and that the rum is transported from the lowlands to the highlands after it is distilled and for bottling back to the lowlands. I guess it is this extra agitation, which makes it so outstanding.

By the way – the guys at Ron Zacapa dosn’t even have an authentic “solera” – this is very confusing and like said: sad to use it anyway. I think, that you should let the product talk – not the marketing department.

One more time – the product itself is outstanding – but nowadays, there are definitely some equally good options, which I haven’t seen in the market, when Zacapa started its triumph…