Cover Zacapa launches the Zacapa Private Blend in Singapore, created in collaboration with Rum Cartel
Zacapa launches the Zacapa Private Blend in Singapore, created in collaboration with Rum Cartel
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Origin Bar became the stage for Zacapa’s most exclusive unveiling yet, where guests discovered the craftsmanship behind the rum house’s inaugural Private Blend through curated cocktails, guided tastings and conversations with master blender Lorena Vásquez
Rum lovers and Tatler friends gathered at Origin Bar on July 7 for the exclusive unveiling of the Zacapa Private Blend—the first private blend in the Guatemalan rum house’s history and a Singapore-exclusive release created in collaboration with private club Rum Cartel. With only 70 bottles available, the evening celebrated one of Zacapa’s rarest expressions through an immersive showcase of craftsmanship, storytelling and hospitality.
For one night only, Origin Bar was transformed into a Zacapa-inspired sanctuary, where guests were welcomed with bespoke cocktails featuring Zacapa 23 and Zacapa XO. Signature serves included the Banana Reserva Highball, made with Zacapa XO, caramelised banana water and gingerbread syrup, alongside the Apricot & Coffee Old Fashioned, which combined Zacapa 23 with apricot liqueur, fino sherry and coffee tincture. Paired with refined canapés, the cocktails set the tone for an elegant gathering of collectors, connoisseurs and industry insiders eager to discover the story behind the limited-edition release.
Read more: Altitude adjustment: Visiting Antigua, home of a Guatemalan rum that is aged in the clouds
Zacapa Private Blend in a customised bottling
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At the heart of the evening was master blender Lorena Vásquez, the visionary behind Zacapa's acclaimed portfolio, who flew in for the occasion alongside Rum Cartel founder and spirits expert Frederic Langlois. During an intimate guided tasting, Vásquez unveiled the Zacapa Private Blend, offering insight into the meticulous craft, patience and philosophy behind what has become one of the world's most celebrated luxury rum houses.
The experience also took guests behind the making of Zacapa, from its signature Sistema Solera ageing process—where rums of varying ages are matured and blended through a succession of casks—to its high-altitude maturation in the “House Above the Clouds”, 2,300 metres above sea level. These defining techniques give Zacapa its hallmark depth, elegance and layered complexity, qualities that are distilled into the new Private Blend.
The launch marked a significant milestone for the brand, with the Zacapa Private Blend positioned as the pinnacle of the Zacapa portfolio while showcasing the craftsmanship that also defines Zacapa 23 and Zacapa XO. Every element of the evening—from the immersive storytelling and guided tasting to conversations shared over cocktails and small plates—offered a deeper appreciation of the journey behind the bottle.
As the night drew to a close, guests lingered over drams, exchanged tasting notes and raised a final toast to a release few will have the chance to own. With just 70 bottles available exclusively in Singapore, the Zacapa Private Blend is more than a collector's piece—it is a celebration of the artistry, heritage and craftsmanship that continue to define Zacapa.
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Photography: Terrix Lin
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