Guatemala

Guatemala, sculpted by dramatic volcanic highlands and fertile sugarcane fields, has earned international acclaim for its refined rum tradition, which fuses artisanal mastery with the country’s distinctive terroir.

At the forefront stands Ron Zacapa Centenario, introduced in 1976 to commemorate Zacapa’s centennial. Distilled from the first-press sugarcane juice known as “virgin cane honey” and fermented with a pineapple-derived yeast, Zacapa is then aged using the Solera method in high-altitude warehouses—where cooler mountain air slows maturation, imparting extraordinary depth and smoothness.

Equally distinguished, Ron Botran has been crafted by the Botran family since the early 20th century under Industrias Licoreras de Guatemala. The brand offers a diverse range of Solera-aged rums—such as Reserva, Añejo 8, 12, and Solera 1893—each celebrated for their harmonious balance of sweetness, spice, and complexity.

Adding to Guatemala’s vibrant scene, DARSA Distillery (Destiladora Artesanal de Alcoholes S.A.), founded in 1940, employs traditional copper-pot distillation and oak aging to craft small-batch rums, aguardiente, and other local specialties—infusing each spirit with a distinctly handcrafted character.

Guatemala’s rum industry is a masterful fusion of volcanic terroir, inventive fermentation, high-altitude aging, and Solera expertise. The result is a collection of rums celebrated worldwide for their elegance, complexity, and evocative sense of place, making Guatemala an accurate benchmark in the world of premium rum.