Zacapa XO in NYC....

[erickaye]

I saw Astor Wines and Spirits in NYC had Zacapa XO in stock if anyone needs a bottle. I believe it was $109 a bottle, with a 2 bottle limit per customer. Funny thing is, on the website, it lists a case price as well...

EK

[RonJames]

Thanks for the update eric, my wife was talking about dragging me to the city this weekend and this might be the hold out on my part.party1.gif

[perfectform]

I thought it was only bottled at 700 ml? Is 750 ml correct?

[forrest]

I saw Astor Wines and Spirits in NYC had Zacapa XO in stock if anyone needs a bottle. I believe it was $109 a bottle, with a 2 bottle limit per customer.
We just got it at Hi Time also (so i got to taste it again!!!)
i think it is $90 (http://www.hitimewine.net/istar.asp?a=6&id=167887!1104) (and it is in stock i saw it..)

[Edward Hamilton]

Depending on the market it's bottled at 700ml or 750ml.

[Matusalem]

Not that age is more important than taste, but is this still the "XO" that is 6-25 year old rum?

[Michael]

The current descriptions of Ron Zacapa Centenario 23 Años and Ron Zacapa Centenario XO on the website of Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala differ only in that the rums in the XO are aged 6-25 years, instead of 6-23 and the XO is aged in Cognac barrels in addition to the three types of barrels employed in the production of the 23 Años.

Do you suspect Matusalem that the producer is or will be modifying the blend of the XO to meet the increased demand, now that it is being exported to the United States (as one supposes was previously done with the 23 Años)? The age description certainly would allow a lot of leeway in the blend.

What say you, fellow rum lovers, is the XO worth nearly three times as much as the 23 Años?

[RonJames]

What say you, fellow rum lovers, is the XO worth nearly three times as much as the 23 Aсos?

Im half way thinking that it might be better to pick up a bottle of the xo before diageo redesigns the blend again, and thats about as gentleman like as I can be on that topic. How many of us wish we had stocked up on the full palm weave back in the day?

[gatomalo]

Im half way thinking that it might be better to pick up a bottle of the xo before diageo redesigns the blend again, and thats about as gentleman like as I can be on that topic. How many of us wish we had stocked up on the full palm weave back in the day?

The price of the XO is only going to go in one direction so you might as well go for it. However, I have seen nothing to suggest that there has ever been any changes or deviation in the blend of the XO since its launch in 2000. There are even those who are convinced that the blend of the 23 has remained unchanged since the palm-weave days.

[Stamina1914]

So is the Zacapa 15 anos officially dead?!?

[Michael]

The 15 Años is still listed on the website. Perhaps it will be available again (unchanged, one hopes) at some point in the future. glass.gif

[Matusalem]

The price of the XO is only going to go in one direction so you might as well go for it. However, I have seen nothing to suggest that there has ever been any changes or deviation in the blend of the XO since its launch in 2000. There are even those who are convinced that the blend of the 23 has remained unchanged since the palm-weave days.I definitely mean this non-offensively. The notion that the price is only going in one direction is a foregone conclusion. That said, the foregone is definitely no motivational tool in inspiring me to purchase a bottle. To think otherwise is to assume I need or "have to have" a bottle, which definitely is not to suggest I can't always use another decent bottle of rum, but darn sure won't run dry from disregarding one either.Im half way thinking that it might be better to pick up a bottle of the xo before diageo redesigns the blend again, and thats about as gentleman like as I can be on that topic. How many of us wish we had stocked up on the full palm weave back in the day?It is true I wish I had grabbed more Palm wrapped bottles than I did, but that too is no motivational piece as far as me acting rashly based on Diageo's potential whims. All that's to say, sure, I'd like to experience / taste every rum imaginable but have accepted I'll probably not finish all the rum in my possession as it is, let alone all those I have yet to discover. As such I believe I've grown a bit more to a purpose first buyer much more so than a "better get it while you can" buyer.

With that in mind, I'm still weighing whether this has enough "purpose" to occupy my "time & space". Do you suspect Matusalem that the producer is or will be modifying the blend of the XO to meet the increased demand, now that it is being exported to the United States (as one supposes was previously done with the 23 Años)? The age description certainly would allow a lot of leeway in the blendMichael, I have not heard anything about changes in the blend. To be honest, I won't say how long ago or exactly where but I didn't know the blend was based on 6-25 years old rum til someone representing the company told me. There was a presentation of products and I asked why the XO wasn't a featured item. The response given referred to the age and in a manner that suggested the 23 was a better mathematical choice anyway.

What say you, fellow rum lovers, is the XO worth nearly three times as much as the 23 Años?That is the question - isn't it?!
;)

[forrest]

i have to answer this question quite often, and it usually sounds like this: "Only you can decide if it is worth it to you"
Is it good? YES! and i wrote about this elsewhere and also on my blog (http://adrinkwithforrest.blogspot.com/2009/08/ron-zacapa-xo.html), but in a nutshell here are the tasting notes:The aromas begin elaborately and are quite resplendent--clean dried fruit (dates, sultana, fig, raisin, apricot, currant, apple), oaky vanilla, and a splendor of rich spice (allspice, nutmeg, clove and cinnamon), harmonized in a copious back drop of cane syrup or honey. To taste, it is dryer than suspected with a miscellany toasted wood and nut tones, that articulate into oolong or darjeeling on the back palate-- without sacrificing the dried fruit notes; it is, simply stated, recherché. The finish dawdles with dryish intricate wood tannin demonstrating toasty oak, cocoa, roasted nuts, vanilla and delicate spices.

It is spendy and frankly i can't aford it, but i would say it is worth it.

Also i saw 2 bottles of the Zacapa 23, full weave on the shelf @ Hi Time this morning for $49.99-- there were only 2-- so there it is..

Those 2 are gone...sorry-- but the lucky winner is. . . . .

[Michael]

Thanks for the notice forrest. glass.gif

I asked for you, but, as you were not available, Keith grabbed the two bottles and they should be on their way here soon. :D

You made my day. cheers.gif

[forrest]

You made my day. cheers.gif

First thing i thought of when i saw those bottles-- tell my Rum brethren!!

i hope you enjoy them Michael, and sorry i missed your call-- busy days...

[Paul C]

I was just in Phoenix and at a store called Total Wine they had Zacapa 23 for 35.99 - 10 dollars cheaper than in my neck of the woods. They had a pretty good selection - I was surprised.

Camelback and about 16th Street for anyone who's interested.

pbc

[Ben]

I was just in Phoenix and at a store called Total Wine they had Zacapa 23 for 35.99 - 10 dollars cheaper than in my neck of the woods. They had a pretty good selection - I was surprised.

pbc

I was in Arizona a few times and I remember fondly the rum selection and specially pricing...

[thrall]

I was just in Phoenix and at a store called Total Wine they had Zacapa 23 for 35.99 - 10 dollars cheaper than in my neck of the woods. They had a pretty good selection - I was surprised.

Camelback and about 16th Street for anyone who's interested.

pbc

Oh...very sad...and i was just there!...ok...taking notes on where to go and hunt......thanks for the info

And..i will be in NYC the first of January...i hope the XO will hold out until then...thanks for the info...i will make Astors a definite stop.....

[Bluehammer]

I was in Arizona a few times and I remember fondly the rum selection and specially pricing...


You can go online to their website and select "shop by location". This will give their current prices and I have found it to be accurate to the in store price. They usually change up prices every few months. Although the website does not always list all products.

[Ben]

You can go online to their website and select "shop by location".

Pyrat XO at 17.49$, Zaya at 26.99$ ? Sounds like a good place to retire.

Would you believe they're selling Pyrat at 89.99$ in Canada?

[leisure master]

And..i will be in NYC the first of January...i hope the XO will hold out until then...thanks for the info...i will make Astors a definite stop.....
I was at Astor tonight and they do indeed have Zacapa XO for $109. For other premium rums, they also have Mount Gay 1703 for $99, Rhum JM 1997 for $119, most of the Rengades and Clement XO for $129. They also have a LOT of more "normal" priced rums - you will have fun in there.

If you have the time, walk one block north and one block east and check out Warehouse Liquors on Broadway and Astor - they actually do have a few rums that Astor does not have.

Have fun.

[dom]

Warehouse Liquors on Broadway and Astor

I went ther last year. They had excellent deals on wine too.