26 August 2015 – From 28 August to 5 September, Zacapa’s mystical Guatemalan origins – as encompassed by “The House Above the Clouds” – will be brought to life at Cape Town’s Roodebloem Studios in Woodstock during the World Class™ Global Finals, the biggest and most prestigious mixology event in the world.
Zacapa will be inviting guests to the World Class House to experience the Zacapa Room – a multi-sensory experience designed to recreate the iconic, dramatic nature of Guatemala and the incredible surroundings of the Zacapa distillery in the heart of Cape Town.
This “House Above the Clouds” will reflect the heritage and provenance of Zacapa’s native heartland through a journey for the five senses followed by a tasting session. The unique experience will immerse guests into the magic behind the most exquisite rum in the world.
Hosted by Zacapa master blender Lorena Vasquez and global brand ambassador Rebecca Quinonez, guests will be introduced to Zacapa’s brand philosophy – The Art of Slow – a journey of discovery to uncover the pleasure that comes from taking the time to enjoy life.
Guests will explore first-hand the sights, sounds and tastes of the place where Zacapa is aged and blended, 2,300 metres above sea level. From the imported Guatemalan mist, to the distinctive aromas of the mountains and tropical warmth, the Zacapa Room will literally float above the crowds.
Not only will guests get to take part in this unique experience, they will also be some of the very first to preview the distinctive new packaging redesigns for Zacapa XO and Zacapa 23. The beautiful bottles, which are not available to buy until December, form part of a redesign for the entire family of rums.
Produced in the verdant land of Guatemala, Zacapa rum is the result of a unique combination of soil, climate and natural materials brought together with skilled distillation and a special high altitude ageing process. From the sugar cane of the volcano-shadowed lowlands, to an ageing process which takes place 2,300 metres above sea level, each aspect of production takes place under the watchful eye of Lorena Vasquez. In Guatemala, time slows down to create a rum of impeccable quality and complexity.
The flavour of Zacapa is deeply rooted in its provenance and the skilled attention to detail, which goes into every aspect of its production. It is this experience that Zacapa aims to bring to life in South Africa.
The World Class House will form the unique centre piece to the World Class Bartender of the Year Global Finals, taking place in Johannesburg and Cape Town from August 31 to September 4. The House marks a high point on the luxury drinking calendar – a gathering of global icons and authorities from the sphere of fine spirits under one roof for 10 days.
Zacapa rums are available in fine liquor stores, premium bars and restaurants around the world.
About Zacapa®
Zacapa is one of the finest rums in the world. Produced in the verdant land of Guatemala, this ultra-premium rum is the result of a unique combination of soil, climate and natural materials brought together with skilled distillation and a special high altitude aging process. Unlike most rums which use molasses, Zacapa is produced using the sweetest first pressing of sugar cane juice, referred to as ‘virgin sugar cane honey’. Aged in the ‘House Above the Clouds,’ at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level, Zacapa rum uses a ‘Sistema Solera’ ageing process, with the rum being laid to rest in selected barrels that previously aged American whiskeys, sherries and Pedro Ximenez wines; in the case of XO, the final stage of aging occurs in French oak cognac barrels. Zacapa is owned by Rum Creation and Products Inc. (RCP), a 50/50 joint venture between Diageo and Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala (ILG). Diageo is also the global distributor for Zacapa except for Central American and Guatemala Duty Free.
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include: Johnnie Walker, JεB, Buchanan’s, Old Parr, Crown Royal, and Bushmills whiskies; Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas; Captain Morgan, Zacapa, Pampero and Cacique rums; Baileys; Jose Cuervo; Tanqueray; Guinness and Red Stripe beer, and Navarro Correas wines. Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.
About Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala (ILG) Group of Companies:
Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala (ILG) has developed a successful enterprise over nearly 90 years, and been recognized on a global level since 1998 for the quality of its Guatemalan products. ILG has its own distillery and four production plants, invests steadily in the incorporation of technology, and has in-market representations in the countries of the Central American region. Rum Creation and Products, Inc. (RCP) is part of the Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala group.
