Caroni 1996 Extra Strong Imperial Proof 21-Year

This is one of the best of this series. I can see myself drinking this.

Had this at a bar off of the suggestion from the owner. I originally wanted Kirk and Sweeny but he was out of it. This was not good at all. Ordered beat, and felt the burn immediately. Went back after about 5 minutes and it was still the same. Added a few drops of water which made it worse. After about 30 minutes all I could taste were leather and ink notes. Had to chug the remaining and order Zacapa 23 to get the flavors out of my mouth. Not worth the cost this time around.

After having tasted all the other offerings in this series of Caroni from Velier, I had the opportunity to taste the 21-year old. While not being the best of the bunch, it is still one hell of a rum.

Nose: Vanilla, petrol, mint, smoke and figs
Taste: Liquorice, oak, smoke, tar, menthol and petrol
Overall: It is no secret, that I love Caroni and try to get me as much as posible, while there is still some of it out there. This is one of the more well-rounded Caronis, which takes away a bit of the Caroni-charm, but it is still a fantastic rum, that you should try if you get the chance.

...with a full proof abv
find some sweet fruits and a little bit oil in the nose and it smell good but hope to find some like the 30th version from velier

normally i would give this rum 8.5 points, but it is not possible

More or less the same style as the 15y blend, which means less petrol-y and phenolic than some other Caronis. But if it is not an extreme one the balance is just perfect in this bottle. A great rum with all the complexity you are expecting for. The wood is of course very present but not so much after 21 years, after all. Only the pricetag was a joke, but just the sad consequence of years of stupid speculation on the previous Caroni bottles.

Une puissance et complexité qui s'affine avec le temps d'aération. un passe par tellement d’arômes en prenant son temps (30min)

Like all the full proof rhum, this one is quite complicated to be drunk. It has to be warmed up in the glass, and tasted slowly, waiting for each single drop to evaporate in your mouth. The high content of alcohol will expand all the flavours of this rhum in your whole mouth. There’s a great complexity of notes from caramel to tropical fruit and some spices. The trick is to drink it drop by drop otherwise the alcohol will be overwhelming.

Amazing taste. Like no other.
Between whisky and rum but it is rum !

N- Dark fruit mashes gelatin with crushed asam boi. Well integrated of good spices, full oak with a pleasant fragrant of light brown sugar nuance. Easily additive aroma that make you well intoxicated by nosing alone. (23/25)

P- Crème brûlée with brandy soaked cherry. Husky and oak-y in the mid palate that translate to whiff of bitter herbs, works well with the delicate sweetness at great harmony. Powerful creamy body. (22/25)

F- Medium length. Full, minty sweet, waxy and more light caramelize cherry on the return. (22/25)

Balanced:- Utterly delicious, well composed by it's own nature. (22/25)

Weighted Rate:- 89pt

— at The Rum Bar KL.

Lidt for stærk til mig... men helt klar i familie med den fantastiske 15’er Dog mere potent....