Cane Rum Bottling Company Caroni Single Cask Rum 1998

The Cane Rum Bottling Company select this single cask of Caroni from the 1998 vintage, drawing on the closed Trinidad distillery whose forgotten casks Velier brought to fame. At twenty-five years and 61%, it pairs the classic industrial Caroni character with an unexpected smoothness, an older and more polished take on the heavy style.

The molasses spirit was column distilled and matured in ex-bourbon oak. The nose runs on leather, barrel and a dirty, dried-fruit edge, the palate balances rubber and wood against a sweeter, rounder core, and the finish carries leather, a touch of bitterness and dry, sweet-leaning wood. Added sugar is unconfirmed but it reads dry. The trademark workshop notes of tar and rubber are all present, yet smoothed by age into something extremely rounded. This is a well-rested, slow-sipping Caroni that keeps enough dirt to stay interesting while drinking with real composure.