Zacapa & Agua Bendita Weave a Celebration of Culture, Quality, and Craftsmanship in New Collab
The key to a great collaboration? Two brands whose values and vibes are so complementary, it feels like their partnership was inevitable. Such is the case with the forthcoming collab between premium rum brand Zacapa and luxury fashion label Agua by Agua Bendita. Building on a shared dedication to celebrating local craftsmanship, Zacapa x Agua honors the beautiful artisanal traditions woven into Latin American culture over centuries—and the importance of preserving them, a task that so often falls to women.
Lorena Vásquez, who has served as Zacapa’s master blender for forty years, exemplifies the power of female-driven creativity and leadership. Fueled by a background in chemistry and a lifelong passion for authentic sensory expression, the lively Nicaragua native treats rum-making as an art form. She spends her days at the Zacapa distillery curating rums and exploring ways to innovate the process, determined to craft a spirit where every sip tells a story worth savoring. “It’s a balance of honoring tradition while embracing the opportunity to evolve and create something exceptional,” the 70-year-old artisan says.
Every step in the blending and aging of a Zacapa rum speaks to this balance. The spirit is aged “above the clouds” in the Guatemalan highlands for a unique flavor profile facilitated by the cooler high-altitude temperatures. A solera system of reusing barrels that previously aged specific whiskey, sherry, and wine blends infuses the rum with additional richness. But a Zacapa beverage isn’t merely a tribute to the craft of rum making—it also reflects a profound connection to the Guatemalan landscape and culture found outside the barrel. Each bottle features a distinctive petate band, intricately handwoven by one of the 700 Guatemalan women artisans who are dedicated to preserving their craft. The partnership, established in 1999, is as essential to the brand’s identity as its signature smooth taste.
This commitment to honoring cultural heritage is one of the strongest binding threads between Zacapa and Agua by Agua Bendita. Co-founders Catalina Álvarez and Mariana Hinestroza launched swimwear brand Agua Bendita in 2003, creating bright, daring ensembles inspired by the natural beauty of their shared hometown of Medellín. “We draw inspiration from Colombia’s untapped beauty, flora, and fauna, transforming nature’s secrets into unique pieces that tell a story,” Hinestroza explains of their design process.
Agua by Agua Bendita debuted in 2018, allowing the women to bring their vibrant floral aesthetic to a wider range of sophisticated, sustainable garments. Their proud Colombian heritage is both metaphorically and literally woven into Agua’s breezy dresses and flowing skirts. The label features detailed floral motifs on many of its garments, hand-embroidered by local artisans. Like the petate bands on every bottle of Zacapa, the embroidery provides a personalized connection to the country and community that informs Agua’s timeless collections.
The forthcoming collaboration with Zacapa is an opportunity to bring their authentic artistry to a broader audience, uniting the realms of fashion and spirits with a one-of-a-kind release. “Once we aligned on our vision, it immediately felt authentic and deeply connected to both brands,” Hinestroza reflects of her and Álvarez’s meetings with the Zacapa team, which included a trip to the distillery to meet Vásquez and a journey to Antigua, where they were acquainted with two of the skilled petate weavers.
Together, the creatives produced a collection of soon-to-be-revealed products that encapsulates their shared values and the unique artisanal legacies of their respective lands. Luxury is infused with craftsmanship, while innovation is grounded in tradition—the result is a profound celebration of Latin American heritage, handmade quality, and the essential role of women in cultural preservation and progress.
“For both Zacapa and Agua by Agua Bendita, this is more than a collaboration,” Vásquez sums up. “It’s a tribute to the people, traditions, and stories that make each creation extraordinary.”
Click here to discover more from Zacapa x Agua Bendita.
