Ron Zacapa – A Casa Vieja Bonus

While the primary purpose of our trips to Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala is to see as many leaping Pacific Sailfish as possible, that’s not the only advantage of this five-star destination. As we’ve documented before, it’s an amazing culinary experience, too, featuring numerous native ingredients, including just-caught mahi. While I’m mostly a beer drinker, I can’t resist CVL’s “Drink of the Day,” and behind the bar there also premium rum. Indeed, if you opt for Ron Zacapa, you’re in for a special treat.

It's produced in Zacapa, a town about four hours to the northeast of Casa Vieja, on the other side of Guatemala City. The rum won first place in the premium rums category 4 years in a row at the International Rum Festival 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. It was the first rum to be included in the International Rum Festival's Hall of Fame.

Ron Zacapa Stories

Check out the following links to learn more about the relatively new but highly esteemed brand’s history and rankings:

• 9 Things You Should Know About Ron Zacapa

• This Guatemalan Rum is Produced by Master Blender Lorena Vásquez

• Meet The Guatemalan Woman Who's The 'Guardian Angel' Of Zacapa Rum

• Esquire Rum Guide: 23 Bottles That Should Be on Your Bar Cart in 2024

• 6 Rum Brands You Need To Know Now, And The People Behind Them

Key Rum Recipes

Here are a handful of fun recipes from Ron Zacapa’s website – worth trying on the ground (or at sea) in Guatemala or once you get home:

• La Zacapa

• Zacapa Rum Fizz

• Guatemalan Iced Coffee

• Lava Roasted Manhattan

• Zegroni

• Zacapa Carajillo

Bring It Home

We’re normally not big on bringing home souvenirs from our fishing trips – sometimes a hat or shirt, or perhaps some tuna from Panama or salmon from Alaska. Ron Zacapa is an exception, though. It’s easy to purchase at the Guatemala City airport’s duty free shop.

• La Aurora International Airport also has a “Casa Del Ron” restaurant lounge. It’s part of the Priority Pass network.

• The Zacapa web page also has a “Location Finder” to tell you where to obtain their products closer to home.

• It’s not the only rum from Guatemala, so if for some reason you don’t like it or want to try some others, consider options from companies like El Pasador de Oro or Botran.