Cover A spectacle above the clouds, Ron Zacapa’s Vietnam launch at Ba Na Hills unfolded under a sky lit with fireworks
A spectacle above the clouds, Ron Zacapa’s Vietnam launch at Ba Na Hills unfolded under a sky lit with fireworks
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After a roaring launch in Singapore, Ron Zacapa swings into momentum by bringing its Casa del Zacapa experience and exquisite rums to spirit connoisseurs in Southeast Asia
Ron Zacapa, a luxury spirits brand of considerable repute, is expanding its presence, bringing with it not just exceptional Guatemalan rum but also a remarkable experience designed to transport the senses. Having warmed up the palates of distinguished imbibers in Singapore last December, the rum outfit’s foray now charts its course across Southeast Asia to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Parent company Diageo dreams big with literal lofty plans, inviting all to delve into a peculiar world that is aged above the clouds.
For most Southeast Asians, Guatemala may not be the first destination they think of when exploring Latin America, and the 30‑hour‑or‑so flight itinerary is at most discouraging. But fret not, Ron Zacapa is transporting its very essence and bringing the Land of Eternal Spring to the region’s doorstep instead. Anchoring the takeover is Casa del Zacapa, a fully immersive journey conceived to bring the essence of Ron Zacapa to life.
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Above Guests raise a toast to Ron Zacapa at an immersive rooftop celebration in Da Nang that brings the spirit of Guatemala to Vietnam
Guests raise a toast to Ron Zacapa at an immersive rooftop celebration in Da Nang that brings the spirit of Guatemala to Vietnam
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Head in the clouds
The Casa del Zacapa travelling house is a multi‑hyphenated narrative that first unveils itself by enveloping visitors in simulated misty, golden‑hour light, scented with the characteristic notes of a Ron Zacapa rum—think caramel, vanilla and oak. In this Rise Experience, striking imagery of the Santa Catalina Arch, an iconic landmark in Antigua built in 1694, invites visitors to leave the familiar behind and teases an ascent into the clouds—a precursor to the unique ageing process of Ron Zacapa rums at 2,300m above sea level.
At the Zacapa Realm, things take a turn for the intimate. A captivating interlude awaits, where 3D projection mapping illustrates the intricate distillation process. Surround‑sound speakers and smoke machines that create a cloud‑like effect enhance and evoke the vibrant environment of Guatemala, immersing visitors in a world of exquisite craftsmanship. Here, guests, guided by a brand ambassador, can explore the solera system, getting up close and personal with the casks while enjoying a taste of a Ron Zacapa rum neat in Glencairn glasses.
Before heading into the highlands, guests take an interactive quiz to figure out their Zacapa adventurer profile to determine their recommended serve in the Cloud Bar—arguably the climax of the entire experience. A neat serve of the opulent Zacapa XO, with its smooth, complex nature, facilitates understanding of the maturation effects, while the mouth‑watering Zacapa XO Cloud’s Cradle cocktail, combining Zacapa XO with a dash of savoury soya sauce and orange bitters, and finished with a floating cloud and dry ice, brings forth an Instagrammable Asian‑inspired number.
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Above Zacapa XO, the brand’s opulent expression, served neat for a moment of pure indulgence
Zacapa XO, the brand’s opulent expression, served neat for a moment of pure indulgence
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A portal to Guatemala
Offering much more than just static displays, the travelling house is a temporary portal away from the ordinary, its bespoke features ensuring an experience that resonates authentically with the cultural nuances of each Southeast Asian country it visits. Think a Zacapa espresso martini for its Vietnam stop that nods to the country’s coffee‑producing heritage; a Zacapa chocolate old‑fashioned for the Indonesia leg, to honour the nation’s cacao‑producing origins; and a Zacapa coco Melaka for Malaysia, known for its palm sugar.
The recent Ron Zacapa launch in Vietnam—an awe‑inspiring event held above the clouds at Ba Na Hills in Da Nang—underscores the momentum of the brand’s regional push and readies the region for upcoming activations, such as its anticipated participation in a major cocktail festival in Malaysia, set to showcase its versatility and exquisite taste to a wider audience. For anyone with a penchant for exceptional spirits, Ron Zacapa’s next move is a worthy one to watch.
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Visiting Antigua, home of a Guatemalan rum that is aged in the clouds
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