Rum Nation Caroni Small Batch Rare Rums 1998

Caroni is the closed Trinidad distillery whose heavy, industrial rum became a collector's obsession after Velier rescued its forgotten casks. This Small Batch release from Rum Nation, an Italian bottler known for tropical and European two-stage ageing, draws on the 1998 vintage, a 22 year old heavy Trinidad rum at 57.4% finished for three years in Oloroso sherry casks.

The pot-still molasses base brings the dirty Caroni core of tar, oak and rubber, while menthol, liquorice and herbs run alongside coffee and leather. The Oloroso adds a dry, subtly fruity layer without smothering the workshop character, so the rum reads as dirty and herbal rather than sweet. The finish is long, dry and medicinal. This rewards experienced tasters more than sherry-cask hunters, an intense, well-structured Caroni for those who like their heavy Trinidad with an extra dimension of wood and dried fruit.