Cover When mixology meets heritage, Zacapa becomes an unforgettable result
When mixology meets heritage, Zacapa becomes an unforgettable result
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Tatler+
Ron Zacapa took centre stage at an intimate Tatler masterclass, where guests explored the Guatemalan rum’s slow-aged sophistication through curated tastings, thoughtful pairings, and a guest shift by Thai mixologist Ong. The evening showcased how craftsmanship, time, and terroir elevate Zacapa into one of the world’s most refined sipping rums.
Rum, for too long, has lived in the shadow of its splashier cousins. It is often imagined in beachside cocktails, folded into fruit juices, or relegated to the role of festive mixer. Yet in the right hands and the right terroir, rum can be as expressive, nuanced, and quietly aristocratic as any great whisky or cognac. This was the central revelation of A Taste of Time, an intimate Ron Zacapa masterclass hosted by Tatler at Lavantha, Moxy Chinatown, where a select circle of Tatler Friends discovered rum not as a party spirit, but as an object of craftsmanship.
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Above A toast to time: Ron Zacapa’s slow-aged craft in every sip.
A toast to time: Ron Zacapa’s slow-aged craft in every sip.
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Led by Daphne Tan, Ron Zacapa’s Brand Ambassador, the evening unfolded not merely as a tasting, but as a journey into Guatemala’s highlands, where altitude becomes a form of alchemy. Founded in 1976 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of its namesake town, Ron Zacapa matures its rums at 2,300 meters above sea level in the famed “House Above the Clouds.” Up here, the cold mountain air slows ageing to a near-meditative pace. Time moves differently; flavours deepen; patience rewards. Every bottle carries the gentle imprint of that rare environment.
The experience began with the Spiced Chocolate Rocks: a dark, velvety amuse-bouche with a whisper of heat. Its richness set the tone for what Ron Zacapa does best: layering warmth, sweetness, and spice into a profile that is as comforting as it is sophisticated.
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Above A fresh take on tradition, this is Zacapa through a modern lens.
A fresh take on tradition, this is Zacapa through a modern lens.
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The first pour of the evening, Ron Zacapa 23, demonstrated this beautifully. A blend of rums aged between six and twenty-three years using the Sistema Solera method, Zacapa 23 revealed itself with an amber glow and a symphony of butterscotch, vanilla, roasted nuts, and tropical fruit. Guests paired the spirit with a Gouda Cheese Mousse Stick, an elegant, savoury counterpoint that highlighted the rum’s creamy texture and caramel-laced charm. It was a reminder that rum, when elevated, is not just aromatic but gastronomic.
Then came the crescendo: Ron Zacapa XO. A spirit that represents the apex of the House’s artistry, XO is aged in American oak, sherry, and Pedro Ximénez casks before its final repose in French oak cognac barrels. The result is a rum of quiet confidence and immense depth, where notes of dark chocolate, orange zest, and espresso unfold gradually, almost deliberately. Paired with a Caramelised Onion Butter Sourdough Chip, the XO’s resonance found an unexpected partner, earthy, buttery, umami-rich, mirroring its elegance with a kind of rustic sophistication.
The evening did not end with neat pours. In a spirited guest shift, celebrated Thai mixologist (Ong) Thanachot Lohanimit of #findthephotobooth reimagined Zacapa’s Guatemalan heritage through contemporary cocktails. His creations, bright with tropical notes yet grounded in technique, served as a bridge between worlds: old and new, traditional and modern, local and global. It was the kind of boundary-crossing creativity that mirrors Zacapa’s own ethos.
Above Where warmth, depth, and Guatemalan heritage meet in a glass.
Where warmth, depth, and Guatemalan heritage meet in a glass.
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Within the warm amber glow of Lavantha, surrounded by the clink of glasses and the hum of conversation, it became clear that this was no ordinary tasting. It was a celebration of time, the time it takes for rum to mature in the clouds, the time required for palates to discern nuance, and the time shared among friends discovering something anew.
Guests enjoying their tipples at Tatler's intimate tasting session
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Above Jeff Lau at Tatler's intimate tasting session
Above Rum Zacapa is not as a party spirit, but as an object of craftsmanship
Jeff Lau at Tatler's intimate tasting session
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For Tatler’s community of tastemakers, the evening reaffirmed what connoisseurs already know: that refinement is not the domain of a single spirit category, but a philosophy. In the hands of a master distiller, rum can be as profound and poetic as any grand cru.
And in the company of good stories, good food, and good friends, its appreciation becomes a reminder of why we gather at the table in the first place—to savour the art of living well.
Quinny Tan is the Social Media Manager of Tatler Malaysia, where she leads the growth and strategy of the brand’s social presence while overseeing content output, ensuring the brand's voice resonates with both longstanding readers and new communities in the digital space. In recent years, she has worn several hats across the media landscape—having served as a writer, video producer, video editor, and on-camera host.
Outside of work, she can be coaxed out of her default doom-scrolling state with an iced black coffee, reruns of Prison Break, and a quick-shuffle of Red Hot Chili Peppers' discography. Find her at the nearest, spiciest sazerac whilst building rapport with anyone who has a good story to tell, with mic in hand.
