Ron Zacapa Centenario, a premium run produced in Guatemala and one of the “World’s Top 100 Most Valuable Luxury Brands,” launched in South Africa with the exclusive Aficionado Pop Up Bar experience in Sandton, Johannesburg on the 25^th of September.

Created in 1976 to celebrate the centenary of the foundation of Zacapa, a town in eastern Guatemala, the rum fast became a grand success, made using the concentrated, first-pressing sugar cane juice called "virgin sugar cane honey" and is aged and blended using the solera method traditionally used for sherries, overseen by master blender Lorena Vazquez.  The coveted barrels are stored 2,300 metres (7,500 ft) above sea level in an aging facility situated below the upper slopes of the mountains and volcanoes of Guatemala, where the temperature is an average of 17 °C (62 °F) in a place called “House Above The Clouds.”

So it’s with no surprise that the announcement and arrival of Ron Zacapa in SA had to be nothing but spectacular. The pop-up bar was designed with minute attention to detail, incorporating finishes of natural material, and including textures, scents and sounds to recreate the intimate eclecticism of a Guatemalan retreat.

Four variations of luxury Ron Zacapa cocktails made the rounds via waiters in traditional Panama hats, as scented smoke billowed gently around the venue to recreate the atmosphere of the “House Above The Clouds”, where Ron Zacapa barrels can be found in the highlands of Quetzaltenango.

Live entertainment provided a vibrant soundscape to the evening’s celebrations before Diageo Reserve Brand Ambassador, Alex Farnell, addressed the guests – educating them on the fascinating heritage and complex flavor profile of this exquisite liquid.

The unique Pop Up’s doors will remain open until the 28^th of November to celebrate Ron Zacapa’s arrival in the South African market.  Reservations and group bookings for the Aficionado Pop Up Bar is essential, and can be made at http://www.aficionadozacapa.co.za/.

                                                 Jen Su, Ryan Hignert & Jay Anstey

                                                      Tamera Jardine & Gina Meyers