Christina Spicer  |  June 4, 2021

Category: Beverages

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An  Illinois man contends that purchasers of Ron Zacapa 23 Centenario Rum were tricked into thinking they were buying a 23-year-old “super-premium” liquor in a class action lawsuit filed Thursday.  

Lead plaintiff, Mike Tedeschi, filed a class action lawsuit in New York federal court on behalf of other Illinois residents who purchased the rum. He claims that the makers of Ron Zacapa, Diageo North America, Inc, deceptively markets the rum, misleading consumers about its true age and distilling process.  

“The past decade has seen the emergence of a market for ‘super-premium’ rums, in a similar way which occurred for other spirits like vodka, whiskey, bourbon, and tequila,” says the class action lawsuit. Aging mellows the product and makes the spirit, distilled from sugar cane, taste better, claims the plaintiff.  

Indeed, Tedeschi says that he purchased Ron Zacapa 23 Centenario Rum from Binny’s Beverage Depot on several occasions because he wanted to consume an “aged rum.” He says he relied on the product’s labeling, including a large “23.” In addition, he points to other representations about the use of a traditional distilling process to make Ron Zacapa.  

In truth, the rum is a blend of spirits aged as little as six years, contends the class action lawsuit.  

“Though rum is not required to state its age, if it does, it is required to be truthful and not misleading,” claims the class action lawsuit, pointing out that, under federal regulations, the age of rum “may be understated but shall not be overstated.” 

Further, Diageo falsely touts the use of a “solera” distilling process to make Ron Zacapa, claims Tedeschi. He says that the solera process is unique and time-consuming. The description of the process used to make Ron Zacapa is not the traditional solera distillation that consumers would expect from the product’s packaging, alleges the class action lawsuit.  

The plaintiff says that he and other Illinois residents would not have purchased or paid as much for the rum had they known it did not contain 23-year-old spirits that had been aged using the transitional solera distilling process.  

Tedeschi accuses Diageo of purposely duping consumers into thinking they were purchasing a “super-premium” rum. He is seeking damages, as well as attorney and court fees for alleged violations of state consumer protection laws, breach of warranty, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation

The class action lawsuit also wants the rum importer to change how Ron Zacapa 23 Centenario Rum is marketed.  

Have you purchased Ron Zacapa 23 Centenario Rum? What do you think of the false advertising claims? Tell us in the comment section below! 

The plaintiff is represented by Spencer Sheehan of Sheehan & Associates, P.C. 

The Rum False Ad Class Action Lawsuit is Tedeschi v. Diageo North America, Inc., Case No. 1:21-cv-04940 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.  


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106 thoughts onConsumers Misled by ‘Super-Premium’ Ron Zacapa Rum, Says Class Action

  1. Robert says:

    Add me. I have bought this rum for many years. I feel completely deceived.

  2. Becky morris says:

    Add plz

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