Samaroli Caroni Bottled for Caksus (Bird by Noir) 1997

Caroni closed in 2003, and bottlings from its remaining casks have become some of the most sought after rum in the world. This one carries the 1997 vintage and 25 years of age, selected by Samaroli, the historic Italian house known for elegant, balanced single casks. Unusually for Samaroli it lands at a powerful 60% rather than the gentle proof they often favour, which suits the heavy Caroni character.

Distilled from Trinidad molasses and matured in ex-bourbon oak, this is the classic dirty Caroni profile: tar, burnt rubber and machine oil over leather, dried fruit and a thread of menthol and tobacco, with dark chocolate and black pepper on a long woody finish. Continental ageing keeps it drier and tighter than the tropical bottlings, so it reads as a serious, savoury sipper rather than a sweet one. Unsweetened and undiluted.