Kill Devil Caroni 20 Year 1998 TWB

Review by: The Auditor

Review #1277; Rum #582

Here we have a single cask from rum from the now closed Caroni distillery that was located in Trinidad. This rum aged for 20 years as a combination of tropical and continental ageing in ex-bourbon barrels. It was then bottled at cask strength with no additives for The Whisky Barrel in 2019.

Distillery: Caroni

Bottler: Kill Devil (Hunter Laing)

Region: Trinidad

Still: Column

ABV: 65.8%

Nose: Hydraulic fluid, Motor Oil, Black Pepper, Faint Mango, Touch of Leather

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Hydraulic Fluid, Motor Oil, Asphalt

Finish:  Long Finish, a touch hot, Hydraulic Fluid, Motor Oil, Asphalt, Black Pepper

Conclusion: Normally, I am a big fan of Caroni, but this is one that is just okay. This is just an all-out assault of those aggressive industrial notes. Plenty of that roadside construction site going on without any fruits or sweetness to balance it out. Somehow water doesn’t bring out any fruit either (and it still drinks a tad hot diluted for me). Overall, one of my least favorite Caroni rums I’ve tried.

Final Score: 77

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing.
  • 0-49: Blech.

Published by The Auditor

Unknown's avatar

I have drank my fair amount of single malt but got started writing reviews about Single Malt and Bourbon in 2018. Over 1000 total reviews later and I focus mainly on Sugar Cane Spirits now. However, single malt is a still a spirits category I enjoy greatly as is Agave and Brandy. I wouldn’t go as far as to call myself an expert but I am the resident Rum obsessed writer for Malt Runners.

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