The Caroni rum distillery had been in business since 1918 in Trinidad but it was closed in 2002 due to industry consolidation, leaving Angostura as the only active distillery in Trinidad and Tobago.
In October 2008 the distillery still had an estimated 5300 casks of aged rum in stock which occasionally find their way to independent bottlers like A.D. Rattray (especially the 1997 casks, or so it seems). Silver Seal, which have a great tradition in rum, also bottled a cask in 2011.
Caroni 1997
(46%, Silver Seal 2011)
Caroni 1997Nose: very aromatic, with overripe banana and cinnamon sweetness as the first impressions. Then some marzipan and caramel. Typical Caroni hints of engine oil and tar as well. Plenty of vanilla. Whiffs of mint. Very nice.
Mouth: pretty austere. Some oak resin mixed with earthy notes (dried mushrooms) and leather. Again a tarry note and something slightly medicinal. Some liquorice and spices. Burnt sugar too.
Finish: long, bold and tarry with a salty twist and whiffs of cinnamon.
Good, slightly heavy rum with some unique traces of cognac and Islay-style aromas. Caroni is closed but luckily we’ll be able to enjoy it during the years to come. Around € 77.