The Duchess Caroni HTR 1998

Caroni is the closed Trinidad distillery whose heavy, industrial rum became a collector's obsession after Velier rescued its casks. This single cask from the 1998 vintage was bottled by The Duchess, a heavy Trinidad rum aged 20 years and presented at a serious 64.6% cask strength.

Distilled from molasses and matured in ex-bourbon oak, it carries the typical rubbery, technical Caroni markers of rubber and tar, joined by warm spice, black pepper and a softer side of dried fruit and vanilla. There is a relatively sweet, crisp edge on the palate that balances the dirty notes, the rubber returning to lead the dry, warm finish. The strength asks for patience, opening over half an hour of air. This is a rewarding bottle for drinkers already at home with high-proof, characterful rum, the fruit sweetness and oily funk meeting in a slowly sipped Caroni.