Bacan Guaro 24 vs 29: What the Numbers Mean
The numbers on a bottle of Bacan Guaro are not an age. They are the alcohol. Bacan 24 is 24% alcohol, which is 48 proof. Bacan 29 is 29% alcohol, which is 58 proof. That is the whole difference, and it changes the drink more than five points sounds like it should.
Both come in a 700ml bottle at the same price, and both carry OU.
What Bacan is
Bacan is an aguardiente from Cali, in Colombia's Valle del Cauca. Colombians call this kind of bottle guaro, and it is the national drink the way tequila is Mexico's. Anise-flavored cane spirit, poured cold in small glasses, passed around.
If the category itself is new to you, start with our guide to guaro and aguardiente, which covers where the style comes from and why it tastes of licorice.
Bacan is made from three things: first-press organic sugarcane juice, organic Spanish star anise, and water. It is distilled five times in small batches of under 1,000 liters, and it is bottled sugar-free. Most aguardiente on the shelf is sweetened. This one is not, which is why the anise reads as spice rather than candy.
Bacan 24: the sipping one
At 24% alcohol this is softer than most spirits you will pour neat. Sweet anise comes up front on the nose with a subtle hint of citrus behind it. The first sip is silky, with black licorice and delicate herbal and floral layers underneath. The finish is calm, with a lingering spice.
This is the bottle for the table. Pour it ice cold in small glasses for a l'chaim at the kiddush or after a meat meal. It also takes tonic and lime well, and it holds up next to grilled meats, ceviche and mezze.
Bacan Guaro 24 Aguardiente, 700ml
Bacan 29: the cocktail one
Five more points of alcohol and the whole bottle sharpens. The nose turns peppery: anise, black pepper and rosemary. The anise carries straight onto the palate with soft citrus and ginger behind it, and the finish is clean and refreshing rather than lingering.
It drinks light for 58 proof, which is the trick of it. This is the one to reach for when you are building a drink and want the spirit to still be there after the mixer. A highball with tonic, lime and a splash of lychee is the house pour. It stands up to grilled meats, spiced chicken and Sephardic mezze.
Bacan Guaro 29 Aguardiente, 700ml
Side by side
| Bacan 24 | Bacan 29 | |
| Alcohol | 24% (48 proof) | 29% (58 proof) |
| Nose | Sweet anise, citrus | Anise, black pepper, rosemary |
| Palate | Silky, black licorice, floral | Anise, soft citrus, ginger |
| Finish | Calm, lingering spice | Clean, refreshing |
| Best for | Neat and ice cold | Cocktails and highballs |
Same price, so the choice is about what you are doing with it. Buy the 24 if the bottle is going on the table. Buy the 29 if it is going behind the bar.
How to serve guaro
Cold. That is the main rule. Keep the bottle in the freezer and pour it into small glasses straight from there, the way you would with a chilled vodka, except that here the cold tightens the anise instead of hiding anything.
Neat is traditional. Over ice is fine. The common mix in Colombia is guaro with lime and a little soda, and both of these take that happily.
Both bottles sit with the rest of our kosher whiskey and spirits. Free shipping on orders $150+ in the lower 48.
