Zaya Gran Reserva Rum 750ml

Zaya Gran Reserva is a smooth, sweet-leaning aged rum built for sipping, with a profile built around vanilla, caramel, and cocoa. It has an unusual backstory: the brand began in Guatemala, where it was made by Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala, the makers of Zacapa, until the mid-2000s, and as Difford’s Guide notes, “they now have no connection to Zaya, which is now made in Trinidad.” The current Zaya is a blend of molasses-based rums produced in Trinidad and Tobago and distilled by Angostura, in a column still, and matured in medium-charred oak barrels. The bottle carries the number “12,” which importers describe as a blend of aged rums of up to 12 years. The brand’s tasting notes describe a nose of “baked fruit and spiced vanilla,” a palate that is “smooth with caramel, spice and toasted oak,” and a finish that is “profound with a hint of smoke.” A fuller set of notes finds “smoked bananas, vanilla and baking spices,” with “mocha, dried fruits, nutmeg and maple syrup” balanced by “cinnamon, butterscotch and smoke.” Difford’s Guide found a “voluptuous rum with rich toasty notes of coconut, vanilla, espresso, dark chocolate, maple syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon and bitter cigar,” that is “multilayered, slightly sweet and at the same time somewhat bitter,” with an aftertaste of “spiced mocha coffee.” Distiller’s reviewer described it debuting “with massive vanilla, allspice and maple syrup tones that segue into gorgeous vanilla, wood and cocoa/mocha on the palate,” with “well-integrated spice and hints of roasted orange peel,” and a finish that’s “sweet and lingering with ever-diminishing warmth.” It was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and an earlier Wine Enthusiast review placed the brand in the 90 to 95 range. A reviewer at The Lone Caner found it “surprisingly similar to the Zacapa 23... silky, sweet, smooth, supple, and a great drink by itself.” It’s a good rum for people who like their rum smooth and dessert-like. An honest note for customers: it’s sweet. Rum Ratings reviewers who enjoy sweeter rums rate it 8 to 9 out of 10, while those who prefer drier, funkier rums find it “much too sweet,” and some feel the Trinidad-made version leans more vanilla than the original Guatemalan blend. Serve it neat or over a large cube, and it’s also good with ginger beer or ginger ale. It’s a gift-ready bottle with a heavy glass bottle and a leaf-wrapped neck. Origins & Craftsmanship Zaya Gran Reserva Rum is produced in Trinidad and Tobago, a blend of molasses-based rums distilled by Angostura in a column still and matured in medium-charred oak barrels. The brand was acquired in 2008 by Infinium Spirits, after originating in Guatemala, and the number “12” on the bottle refers to a blend of aged rums, described by importers as up to 12 years old. Bottled at 40% ABV / 80 proof, 750ml. Critics Reviews Double Gold Medal — San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2021 Wine Enthusiast — 90–95 Point range (earlier review) Difford’s Guide: “Appearance: Clear, deep mahogany. Aroma: Voluptuous rum with rich toasty notes of coconut, vanilla, espresso, dark chocolate, maple syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon and bitter cigar. Taste: Multilayered, slightly sweet and at the same time somewhat bitter. Aftertaste: Spiced mocha coffee.” Distiller (spirits review): “Zaya Gran Reserva 12 debuts with massive vanilla, allspice and maple syrup tones that segue into gorgeous vanilla, wood and cocoa/mocha on the palate. Well-integrated spice and hints of roasted orange peel follow under a sheen of banked heat. The finish is sweet and lingering with ever-diminishing warmth.” The Lone Caner: “Surprisingly similar to the Zacapa 23... silky, sweet, smooth, supple, and a great drink by itself.” Rum Ratings community (mixed on sweetness): “Sweet flavors of caramel and vanilla with a little smokiness. Good sipper for a reasonable price.” And: “This rum is way too sweet for my tastes.” Zaya (distributor tasting notes): “Nose: Baked fruit & spiced vanilla. Palate: Smooth with caramel, spice & toasted oak. Finish: Profound with a hint of smoke.” Tasting Profile Nose Deep mahogany. Baked fruit and spiced vanilla, with smoked banana, coconut, espresso, dark chocolate, and maple syrup. Palate Smooth and sweet-leaning, with caramel, vanilla, cocoa, mocha, dried fruit, nutmeg, and cinnamon, with a touch of toasted oak and a hint of bitterness. Finish Long and lingering, with spiced mocha, caramel, and a hint of smoke. Quick Overview Category Details Style Aged Rum — Trinidad & Tobago, Sweet-Leaning ABV / Proof 40% ABV / 80 Proof Base Molasses; distilled by Angostura in a column still Aging Medium-charred oak; labeled “12” (a blend of aged rums, up to 12 years) Origin Trinidad & Tobago (originally Guatemala) Awards Double Gold, San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2021 Style / Identity A smooth, sweet, vanilla-and-caramel sipping rum for dessert drinkers Aromas & Flavors Vanilla, caramel, maple syrup, cocoa, mocha, baking spice, toasted oak Bottle Size 750ml Cocktail & Serving Suggestions Neat or over a large cube — the best way to taste the vanilla, caramel, and spice. With ginger beer or ginger ale — a reviewer’s favorite way to balance the sweetness. Rum Old Fashioned — with a dash of bitters and an orange peel, to cut the sweetness. Food Pairings Flan and caramel desserts Dark chocolate and chocolate truffles Banana-based desserts Roasted nuts