Duncan Taylor Quarterdeck Trinidad Rum The Caroni Distillery (1998/24 Years)

The Caroni distillery was founded in 1918 and built on the site of an old sugar factory. It was located on the Caroni Plains near Port of Spain, Trinidad. The distillery was government-owned and operated with its own sugar-processing plant.

In 2001, the Trinidad Government sold a 49% stake of Caroni Rum Distillers Ltd. to its main rival, Angostura. It sealed the distillery's fate, which Angostura closed just one year later, in 2002. 

The brand has been revived by Luca Gargano, the owner of Velier, an Italian wine and spirits importer. He purchased many of the remaining casks after his 2004 visit to Trinidad. 

Nose: Burnt rubber, tar, and motor oil up front, followed by cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Dark fruits — plum, raisin, candied orange — sit underneath, with tobacco, oak, and dark chocolate in the background.

Palate: Full-bodied and oily with strong spice. Liquorice, dark molasses, and espresso dominate, with vanilla and caramel offering some balance. Smoky and earthy undertones, with dried tropical fruits in the background.

Finish: Long, with smoke, oak, and spice throughout. Light salt and minerality, with dark chocolate and oak wood persisting to the end.

700 mL

50.7% ABV