Spirited Women

From a so-called “house above the clouds” 7500 feet above sea level in Guatemala, flows a full-bodied, perfectly aged premium form of liquid gold: Zacapa Rum.

Founded in 1976, the legacy behind this delicacy is richer than the volcanic soil the sugar cane comes from and even more unique than its flavor profile, which boasts 23 notes of dried fruits and vanilla. Though the taste of Zacapa is incredibly dynamic, the story behind this brand of rum is where the real flavor lies.

The magic can be attributed to Lorena Vásquez, the orchestrator of the Zacapa Rum experience. “When I’m toasting, I always raise my glass with my left hand, which is closest to the heart,” Vásquez explains. “It is a continuation of the passion that goes into the rum and wanting deeply to share it with the people around me.” A master blender, she is one of just a handful of women with this prestigious title in the predominately male-dominated spirits industry.

“To me, being the master blender for Zacapa isn’t just my job, it’s my passion,” Vásquez says of her 35 years with the product. “I have put my heart and soul into perfecting the liquid so that I can share that passion with others. In some ways, I like to explain my role as a chef, but for rum.”

Originally born in Nicaragua, Vásquez has lived in Guatemala for the past 42 years where she has proven her technical knowledge and outstanding perseverance in the field. Of Guatemala, she says, “The unique geography [here] produces a character in the sugar cane that cannot be found anywhere else.” The soil used to grow the sugar cane for Zacapa is called vertisol and makes up only 2% of the earth’s surface, a factor that makes Zacapa’s harvest particularly special. This mineral-rich, volcanic soil houses raw sugarcane that grows to have a distinct flavor because of this access to abundant nutrients and contributes to the rum's overall sweet, smooth finish. After harvesting the sugar cane, a fermentation and distillation process defines the incredible flavor and aroma that Zacapa has become renowned for.

However, Vásquez explains that the attention to detail does not stop at the flavor profile. “Going beyond the liquid itself, every bottle of Zacapa Rum 23 has a handwoven “petate” band – a 3,000-year-old Mayan cultural tradition that links Zacapa to the ancient Guatemalan civilization. The “petate” bands you see today are handwoven by women in Guatemalan communities. The bands represent the Mayan belief that the “petate” is a symbol of unity between earth and sky, and connect you to more than 3,000 years of Mayan tradition.”

This initiative has employed over 700 women, giving them a way to earn money by honoring their heritage. The opportunity to weave bands for Zacapa was first offered to women from El Quiché, who were displaced by conflict, and later to women from villages within Jocotán, affected by a dry spell that killed many of their crops. This form of income was paramount in giving the women an income stream they could use to support their communities during moments of uncertainty.

Also instrumental to the Zacapa family is Chef Grace Ramirez, a Miami native currently living in New York. A former director for food television shows, Ramirez fell in love with the kitchen and pairs Zacapa with many of her dishes. “Everything about Zacapa is special,” she notes. “I truly don’t know any other rum that has so many amazing qualities.”

She attributes her passion as a chef to her “ride-or-die” mentality; she focuses entirely on showing her love through food and bringing joy into people’s lives with her meals, many of which she pairs with Zacapa Rum. She describes it as being synonymous with “a great meal. It leaves you thinking, guessing and craving more.”

Founder of Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails and host of her own Masterclass is Lynnette Marrero. “There is something so great about sharing your liquid art with a guest and seeing their excitement and joy,” the internationally-renowned mixologist says. “This has been difficult this year, but through my sessions with Zacapa Rum, World Class and my masterclass.com class, I have had the pleasure of connecting digitally.”

She raves about the nuance and balance of Zacapa, “You can taste it over and over and still discover new aromas and flavors.” In her Masterclass, “Get Behind the Bar,” she discusses her favorite spirits and recipes and the essential must-haves for any home bar with Ryan Chetiyawardana, a widely-renowned and innovative bartender.

Vásquez, Ramirez and Marrero are all breaking glass ceiling in the spirits industry and are opening doors for women left and right. “As a female, I will always support women and encourage them to pursue what they want and not allow any barriers to stop them,” Vásquez says. “It inspires me to see so many women around me every day and I hope we continue to see progress throughout the industry.”

For more information about Zacapa Rum, visit zacaparum.com/en-us.