Zacapa Unveils 50th Anniversary Edition Rum
Most rum barrels are charred with fire and nothing else. For its 50th birthday, Zacapa went further and charred American white oak barrels with Guatemalan cacao and Cobán chili peels, then used them to give its final blend one last maturation. The result is Zacapa 50th Anniversary Edition, a limited release from Master Blender Lorena Vásquez that is also the brand's first limited-edition innovation outside its core North American lineup. It started rolling out on October 15 at $49.99.
Did You Know?
The cacao and chili idea comes from ancient ceremonial celebrations in what is now Guatemala, where drinks made with cacao and chili were part of the gatherings.
Zacapa ages its rum more than 2,300 meters above sea level, far from the Pacific coast where it is fermented and distilled.
The blend uses rums aged between 8 and 24 years, so the youngest component is already well past entry level.
The Release
Vásquez built the 50th Anniversary Edition from rums aged between 8 and 24 years, then added a step Zacapa does not normally take. After the usual aging, the final blend goes into American white oak barrels specially charred with cacao and Cobán chili peels. According to the brand, that treatment adds notes of roasted cacao and spice to the wood. The blend then rests for several months in oak vats before bottling.
The new step is the barrel itself: cacao and chili peels do the charring, so the flavors come from the wood rather than from anything added to the rum.
The base is the same one behind every Zacapa. It starts as virgin sugar cane syrup (not molasses), is fermented and distilled on Guatemala's Pacific west coast, and then travels up to the high-altitude aging facility. There it moves through the Solera System, a method that blends rums through a sequence of casks. Those casks previously held American whiskeys, Sherry wines and Pedro Ximénez wines, plus re-charred American white oak barrels.
Vásquez explained the thinking in simple terms: "I'm still interested in how far we can push it," she said of Zacapa's aging process.
According to Zacapa, the nose opens with vanilla and caramelized fruit. The palate balances wood, toffee and aromatic spice, with cacao and Cobán chili notes, a smooth, rounded texture and a long finish with toasted notes and warm spice.
The packaging gets the anniversary treatment too. The bottle comes in a commemorative canister with cacao, chili and flower artwork. It wears Zacapa's handwoven petate band, reimagined in a colorful design for the milestone.
To mark the occasion, Vásquez will visit key U.S. markets for intimate tastings. Select bars will also pour the GuateMai Tai, made with the 50th Anniversary Edition, orange liqueur, orgeat (an almond syrup), fresh lime juice and aromatic bitters.
The Story of Zacapa
Zacapa is an ultra-premium rum born in Guatemala in 1976, which makes this release a true 50-year milestone. Its signature style comes from aging rum at high altitude through a solera system, building what the brand calls balance and signature smoothness.
The face of the liquid is Lorena Vásquez, Zacapa's Master Blender of over 40 years and one of the few female leaders in a traditionally male-dominated industry. The core lineup includes Zacapa No. 23, Zacapa Edición Negra and Zacapa XO. The brand is part of Diageo, and its handwoven petate band nods to Guatemalan craft and culture.
Why It Stands Out
Anniversary bottlings often mean a fancy package and the same liquid. This one changes the process, with a finishing step built around two ingredients tied to Guatemala's history. At $49.99, it is also an approachable way to try something special from a well-known rum house, though availability is limited to four states for now.
The Details
Style: Rum, limited edition
Age: Blend of rums aged between 8 and 24 years
ABV/Proof: 40% ABV (80 proof)
Cask/Finish: Solera aged, then final maturation in American white oak barrels charred with cacao and Cobán chili peels, then rested in oak vats
Size: 750 ml
Price (SRP): $49.99
Availability: Select markets in New York, California, Texas and Florida
US Availability: Yes, in select markets across New York, California, Texas and Florida; no wider rollout has been announced
Release Date: October 15, 2026
Quick Answers
How much does Zacapa 50th Anniversary Edition cost? It has a suggested retail price of $49.99.
Where can you buy Zacapa 50th Anniversary Edition? It is available in select markets across New York, California, Texas and Florida.
What is the ABV of Zacapa 50th Anniversary Edition? It is bottled at 40% ABV.
Tonights Poison Take
Zacapa is leaning into its Guatemalan roots with a barrel treatment that tells a story, and the price keeps it within reach for curious rum drinkers. The cacao and chili angle should suit anyone who likes dessert-leaning rums with a little warmth at the end. If you are in one of the four launch states, it is worth watching for on shelves.
Bar Talk: Zacapa celebrated 50 years by aging its rum in barrels charred with cacao and chili peels.
Send this to the rum fan who loves a good origin story, and tell us in the comments if you would try a chili-kissed Zacapa.
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About the author: Jas Sawhney (Tonights Poison) has spent 18 years in the beverage alcohol industry and shares new releases, tastings and spirits news as @tonightspoison on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Please enjoy responsibly.
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