Velier Caroni Heavy Rum HTR 1983

Velier bottled this Caroni from the 1983 vintage, drawing on the closed Trinidad distillery whose myth Velier built through its finite tropically aged casks. At twenty-two years and a comparatively restrained 52%, it is one of the calmer, more accessible expressions of this cult distillery, rounded rather than bruising.

The molasses spirit, matured in ex-bourbon oak, shows the industrial character in lighter form. Rubber and tar sit alongside vanilla and oak on the nose, the palate turns to tar and leather with barrel notes and a softer, slightly diluted feel, and pear, raisin and cherry round things out into a finish of barrel, tar, rubber and toffee. Added sugar is unconfirmed but it drinks dry. This is an easy-sipping, relaxed take on Caroni that many enjoy neat without fatigue, though devotees of the heaviest bottlings may find it softer and less dirty than the famous full-proof releases.