Velier Caroni Heavy Rum (Stefano Cremaschi) HTR 1996

One of the most prized lines in collectible rum: a Velier Caroni, single cask, carrying the Heavy mark, HTR. Velier is the Italian house that rescued Caroni's forgotten casks after the Trinidad distillery closed in 2003, and bottlings like this 1996, named for Stefano Cremaschi and aged 20 years, sit at the heart of the distillery's legend.

Tropically matured in ex-bourbon oak in Velier's full proof tradition, it pairs a huge Caroni profile with surprising sweetness. Tar, coffee and earthy notes meet coconut, tropical fruit, milk chocolate, caramel and molasses, with banana and a vegetal edge on the finish, all carried at an enormous 70.8%. It takes time and a careful approach to open, but rewards patience with balance between the dirty industrial core and the rounder, fruitier notes. A serious, undiluted heavyweight.