We still have plenty of Caronis in our sample library and today it is tome for one of the lesser vintages in my book, namely 1998.

Wu Dram Clan Caroni 1998 23YO “Kyoto Fine Wine and Spirits” (62,2%): This has been released together with a 1997 Caroni. Nose: I almost forgot how “dirty” this particular vintage can be. I get the whole dose of tar, burnt rubber, engine oil and scrap metal, but also slightly peppery notes from the barrel. This is the Caroni essence and at least the nose doesn’t leave much to be desired. Palate: Slightly sharp and extremely rusty, with pepper, different oils, a hint of licorice, vanilla, oak and more spices, which can once again clearly be attributed to the barrel. The second sip reveals ever so vaguely notes of mango and herbs. Finish: Very long and dirty, with herbs, oil, oak, spices and bamboo. A very nice bottling which demonstrates very well that there are still good Caronis out there! (88/100)

The Colours of Rum Caroni 1998 23YO (62,2%): Same base data as the Wu Dram Clan but it should be a different barrel. Nose: Clearly lighter, cleaner and more floral in direct comparison. We get fewer of the notes I tend to describe as dirty and instead even something close to rose or jasmin petals. This is still obviously a Caroni, mind you, but this one does stick out in a way. With more time in the glass, engine and olive oil come out more and more, while I also get associations of green tea and Indian fig. Palate: An almost silky texture, with lots of caramel, cocoa and milk chocolate, pecan nut and tarry whipped cream. With the second sip more oak, oils and that green tea again. Finish: Quite long, with more green tea, aloe vera, olive oil, oak and caramel. This should be a good Rum to introduce someone to the world of Caroni, I think. For my taste, it is almost a little bit too balanced. (86/100)

Kill Devil Caroni 1998 20YO “The Whisky Barrel” (64,8%): There was a time when Hunter Laing, the company behind Kill Devil, used to bottle seemingly everything they got their hands on but the have become rather silent as of late. Nose: My initial thought after pouring was that this is very metallic and scrappy, but within a minute or two in the glass the perception changes completely. I now get inner tube and fresh rubber, chocolate, caramel, oak, thyme, and even a hint of anise. The more time you spent with the Rum, the stronger the notes of inner tube and rubber become, however, almost burying the rest. Palate: Again, there’s this anise note right away, but I can definitely also taste the thyme, followed by rubber, oil, oak and allspice. Nothing too special here. Finish: Relatively long, with lots of spices and scrap metal. After a while more and more oak and cocoa. A good Rum but clearly not a great Caroni. (82/100)

Kill Devil Caroni 1998 20YO “The Whisky Barrel” (65%): Another Kill Devil Caroni for The Whisky Barrel. Nose: Another one that is not too dirty. Here, I get caramel, vanilla, rubber, pineapple flavoured gummy bears, kiwi, oak and salted brioche. I like it cause it is different, especially the fruity elements fit in very well I think. Palate: It starts with green apples and kiwi, salted caramel and toffee and ends in burnt rubber, soy sauce and oak. Salt is a flavour rarely found in Caroni but this one definitely provides a salty mouthfeel. Finish: Medium long and dry, with sea water, oak, caramel and licorice. There are a few things I really like about this Rum but it just cannot convince me entirely. At the end of the day it is quite different from the 64,8% version but neither better nor worse, if you ask me. (82/100)

Velier Caroni “Employees – Dayanand “Yunkoo” Balloon” 1998 21YO (68,3%): This is part of the fourth Employees series by Velier. Nose: Compared to the non-tropically aged Caronis, this is day and night. This is much more concentrated, thicker and aromatic. Besides rubber, inner type and engine oil, we get a pronounced fruity side with tropical fruits, papaya and mango first and foremost. Caramel and olive oil are other associations. Palate: A subtle sweetness paired with sticky resin and fir is the first thing I have to think of. Then raspberry, caramel, lots of wood, a few spices here and there and, contrary to what you’d expect, especially after the nose, not many dirty aromas, not even the characteristic inner tube. Finish: The fir cone and sticky resin stay for a while, before oak, wood polish, coffee and engine oil take over. This is an incredibly well-balanced Caroni, which is both, the Rum’s biggest strength and its biggest weakness. (89/100)

Velier Caroni “Employees – Balas “Brigade” Bhaggan” 1998 21YO (68,4%): This one is also part of the fourth series. Nose: Weird. This one smells very stale and even slightly acidic, almost if my sample has gone bad. Luckily, I have to different ones and both are clearly identical, so it has to be the Rum. I get oily notes (think the residual oil of dried tomatoes preserved in oil), soy sauce, papaya and definitely sweet woodruff. What an oddity! Palate: Much more straightforward and “rummy” than the nose. The woodruff can still be found, but so can papaya, burnt sugar, different sorts of oil and even slightly nutty flavours. I still have a hard time making sense of this Rum. Finish: Medium long and sweet, with sugar, caramel, plums, oak and acidic Ahoi Brause (the woodruff). This is definitely not the best Caroni, but far, far away from a bad Rum. (86/100)

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