nice rums?

[Mark C]

Originally Posted by wolfandwhisky

I'm a big fan of Zaya - I like the bananas/caramel spectrum of rum

What is Ron Zacapa like - more bananas/caramel or orange/spice?

What other rums are out there that are similar to Zaya, and if possible, better than Zaya?

The only rum that tastes like oranges to me is Pyrat (both Pistol and XO). The Trinidad Zaya is heavy on the vanilla flavor, very similar to Angostura 1919 (same distillery). Zacapa is similar to Zaya in that it has a fair amount of 'sweetness', it's a full bodied rum, almost syrupy compared to Puerto Rican rums, with a darker color to match. The caramel is definitely there, but not much smoke/oak flavor.

I put Zacapa, Zaya, Centenario, and Diplomatico all in the same category. If you like one, you'll probably like the others. As far as the difference between 'new' and 'old' Zaya, I must say I've never tried the 'old', but must people who've only had the 'new' seem to enjoy it. Seems to be one of those 'you don't know what you missed' kind of deals, don't get hung up on the opinions from people still mourning the loss of the Guat Zaya.

Originally Posted by Mark C

As far as the difference between 'new' and 'old' Zaya, I must say I've never tried the 'old', but must people who've only had the 'new' seem to enjoy it. Seems to be one of those 'you don't know what you missed' kind of deals, don't get hung up on the opinions from people still mourning the loss of the Guat Zaya.

Yes, I fully admit that I am mourning the loss of the old Zaya still.

I have tried them side by side (as has my wife, a non rum-drinker), and the difference was noticable to both of us. The main thing that I can say off the top of my head is that the Guat version is smoother and the vanilla is toned down in it, and it doesn't have the "heat" that I had noticed in the Trini version. However, as I said, the Trini version is not worth the pricepoint to me. While it is still a decent sipper, for the price I'd pay for it, I'd rather have something like the Zacapa (essentially the same price for both here in MN). Zacapa is closer to the Guat Zaya than the Trini Zaya is, IMO.

[Mark C]

Originally Posted by Wanger

Zacapa is closer to the Guat Zaya than the Trini Zaya is, IMO.

I'm sure you're right, they were the same distiller. The Guat Zaya got killed to increase the production of Zacapa, if I remember right it was when a new distributor picked up Zacapa. That should give you an idea just how similar they were. Likewise I find the Angostura 1919 and Trini Zaya very similar, for the same reason.

For what it's worth, "Botran" is still made by the same company as Zacapa, and Montecristo rum used to be, but I think that one got killed off also.

I might just be a little bitter that I missed out on the Guat Zaya by a few months. Went to 5 stores a few years back just before news broke that the production was moving to Trinidad. Oh well, there's plenty more rum to drink!