Zaya Gran Reserva 12-Year

Zaya used to be a really good rum - and that is what this review is for. Not sure when or why, but they changed their distill and the newer bottlings are just not nearly as good as the older version. The older version has the label on the bottle like shown on this website - cursive writing. The newer bottle has block lettering.

Older version is a really great drink - sweet, but not overpoweringly so. Smooth, starts with vanilla and finishes with some oak and tobacco on the finish with a good spice. Really great over a couple of cubes of ice, it is/was one of the better sipping rums out there, especially for the price and ease of getting it. Shame that they changed the formula.

nez chaleureux sur caramel et pointe vanillé
goût liquoreux très chaleureux sur vanille et caramel mou
longueur souple et longue sur vanille prenium

Deep amber in colour; pronounced aromas of caramel, vanilla, leather and toasty oak; rich and delicious mouthfeel with flavours of spice, clove, caramelized sugar, vanilla, orange, the finish is long and smooth.

My first expensive rum and I was not disappointed. Loved how smooth it was and Carmel vanilla flavour. Thumbs up. 👍

This is not a good rum. It can not be sipped neat. It's not even the best mixer. It tasted good mixed with vanilla cream soda. I taste artificial vanilla. I find this to be similar to Kraken although, it tastes like there is more artificial sweetness in Zaya. I hear the recipie used to be good, it's a shame they had to change it.

zial stara receptura sa mi do ruk nedostala, ale obnovena vyroba nic moc. mal som velke ocakavanie. rum je dost surovy, nieco sladky ale nie nejak extra, korenisty, skrabavy a alkoholovy. cakal som nieco jemnejsie

For me, this is one of the best rums I have tasted. Silky smooth for sipping straight while enjoying a cigar, or pairable with just about any mixer. Bottle is a conversation piece as well

This is probably my favorite rum out of 75 or 80 that I have had. It is a great sipping rum

If you like your Zacapa's you probably will enjoy this.

Great presentation and experience. Heavy on the vanilla and it's on the sweet side. Makes a great dessert sipper and pairs nice with a Camacho Bourbon Barrel Aged cigar. I've had this combo more than once!