From Sparrow’s rum list, Zacapa 23 is a refined Guatemalan rum that earns its place as an after-dinner sipper ($16 by the pour, or $24 for a larger pour).
About Zacapa 23
Zacapa is a classy Guatemalan rum produced at high altitude, up in the hills of Guatemala, where the cooler air allows for a slower aging process than the hot-weather rums made closer to sea level. It is built on the solera style of aging, the Sistema Solera, which blends rums aged between 6 and 23 years to ensure balance, consistency, and overall refinement. Unique among most rums, Zacapa uses a proprietary pineapple-derived yeast in fermentation, and it matures in a mix of used American whiskey casks and sherry casks. That combination of high-altitude aging, solera blending, and a thoughtful mix of barrels is what gives Zacapa its layered, polished character.
Tasting Notes
Solera-aged rum like this tends to be smooth and full, with the kind of depth that comes from blending older and younger spirit together. Expect a rounded sweetness, warm baking spice, and notes shaped by the whiskey and sherry casks, vanilla, dried fruit, and gentle oak, finishing soft and refined.
What to Pair It With
Zacapa 23 is made for slow sipping. Enjoy it neat or over a large cube in our 21+ lounge after dinner, or pair it with something rich from the Sparrow dinner menu like the Sparrow-Smoked Rack or the American Wagyu steaks. Our daily happy hour runs 3 to 5 PM, and the four-season patio is a relaxed place to linger over a pour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zacapa 23?
Zacapa 23 is a Guatemalan rum aged at high altitude using the Sistema Solera method, blending rums between 6 and 23 years old in a mix of used American whiskey and sherry casks.
How much is a pour of Zacapa 23 at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland, Zacapa 23 is $16 by the pour, or $24 for a larger pour.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Teeda Okinawa. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come taste it.