The Whisky Jury Caroni Rum 1998

The Whisky Jury, a European independent, selected this single cask Caroni from the 1998 vintage, a 23 year release at cask strength. Caroni is the Trinidad distillery that closed around 2003, and the 1998 vintage is among its most bottled, its finite stocks driving lasting interest in the most mythologised name in rum.

Matured in ex-bourbon oak, it sits firmly in the dirty camp, with barrel, tar, rubber and liquorice on the nose, a roasted, tarry palate, and a finish of brown sugar, milk chocolate, woody warmth and baking spice. There is an olive-like savoury note alongside the caramel that marks it as authentic Caroni. At 58.2% it runs hot and assertive, and it genuinely opens with time, the workshop notes softening to let the sweeter wood through. A characterful, slow-burning Caroni for drinkers who already know the style.