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Just How Good is Zacapa Rum?

By Michael Hepworth

Rum is a great drink that I have kind of re-introduced myself to lately, and one of the reasons is the increased exposure of Zacapa Rum from Guatemala into the USA market late last year. They have signed a distribution deal with the mighty Diageo, so look for a lot more exposure for this dark and heavy rum. The prime reason that this rum is different and a bit of a standout from the Bacardi’s and Captain Morgan’s of this world is the fact that it does not use molasses in the production, but uses only the first pressing of sugar cane juice, also known as “virgin sugar cane honey.”

Grown in the high altitude mountain regions 8,000 feet above sea level and an average temperature of 62 degrees the aging process is much slower, and this is what gives Zacapa its color, body, flavor and aroma. Zacapa is an actual city that gave the rum its name in 1976, and in Suchitepequez you can find the sugar plantation that provides the raw materials. The warm climate and humidity produces each reed of sugar cane in about 14 months, and then the harvesting begins, an elaborate process that ends in the sugar cane honey ready for distillation.

The Master Distiller happens to be one of only three female master distillers in the world. Nicaraguan native Ana Lorena Vasquez Ampie has been involved with Guatemalan rum for 22 years, and she is the one who personally selected the “house above the clouds,” home of Zacapa’s famous aging facility.

Jocotan provides the hand made pelate band that is placed around every bottle, and the bottling and distribution is handled out of the well named Mixco. In Jocate, almost 350 local Indian women are employed and produce 20,000 petate bands per month, an ancient ritual that dates back to the Mayan kings.

There are three versions of the rum on the market, Zacapa 15, Zacapa 23 and the ultra-premium version Zacapa XO. Rum experts love this rum and have described it as “smooth and luscious” and“seriously decadent rum.” Try Zacapa in a crystal glass over a single large ice cube to really experience the taste of  mahogany wood combined with fruit, vanilla, almond chocolate, toasted wood and hints of spice.

This is a classy rum that will impress your friends that can be found for about $45 for a 750ml bottle. High quality and good value as well.

www.ronesdeguatemala.com
By Michael Hepworth

​
What exactly is GRAND BRULOT I thought to myself as I opened the bottle for the first time just around the time this lockdown took effect. Well, Grand Brulot is listed as a VSOP Cognac Café and it can be used in Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis, spritzes and sidecars , just for starters. It is a blend of Ugni Blanc & Colombard that is crafted into 80 proof VSOP. Then 100% Robusta Ecuadorian coffee bean essence is extracted and blended with brandy to meld for a few months and finally, it is blended with the VSOP Cognac. There is also a whiff of peppermint, nutmeg and hot cocoa in the drink. The retail price is $42.99.

The idea for the drink was instigated in 2015 by John Bernbach who asked for the help of industry veteran Francisco Tonarely to investigate the potential of a cognac/brandy drink blended with coffee. Three year later in August 2018 Grand Brulot was launched. This cognac comes from the Tardy Cognac Group and the grapes come from its single estate. Grand Brulot also plays homage to a New Orleans specialty of the same name that is still served around town.  The name Grand Brulot was inspired by the famous French pirate Jean Lafite who helped New Orleans repel the British invaders in 1812. He would order coffee, pour cognac in the saucer, set it alight and mix it with the coffee.
Recipes:

THE RISE AND SHINE
2 oz Grand Brulot
Orange Twist

Just pour Grand Brulot over ice and the orange will highlight the flavors
of the spirit.

BRULOT BLACK MANHATTAN
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Bartender Todd Smith created this one. Stir all the ingredients together in
a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice and garnish

with orange wheel.

FRENCH NEGRONI
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz  Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari

Build in a rocks glass over ice and garnish w/orange wheel.

GRAND BRULOT CAFÉ HOLIDAY
1 oz Grand Brulot
0.5 oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Porter Beer or Stout
3 dashes of bitters

Throw cocktail ingredients between two cups a couple of times to mix
And ignite the foam from the beer. Pour into a highball glass over ice
And garnish with nutmeg.



www.grandbrulot.com
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