Review by: The Auditor

Review #1291; Rum #596

Here we have a single cask of rum from Caroni, the famous closed distillery on Trinidad. This rum was distilled from molasses on a column still, aged for a time in Trinidad and Europe, then bottled at cask strength with no additives for The Whisky Barrel. It was bottled by Independent bottler Kill Devil.

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Distillery: Caroni

Bottler: Kill Devil

Region: Trinidad

Still: Column

ABV: 64.8%

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Nose:  Guava, Raspberry, Vanilla, Touch of Pineapple, Asphalt, Black Pepper

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Guava, Raspberry, Asphalt, Black Pepper, Vanilla, Motor Oil

Finish:  Medium length finish, Raspberry, Star Anise, Asphalt, Black Pepper, Vanilla

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Conclusion: Of the Caroni casks that The Whisky Barrel had at one point, this is the best of them. This is a great example of what good Caroni can be, a mix of pleasant fruit flavors balanced out by those aggressive industrial notes. When they are balanced like this, it makes for a great and interesting rum that isn’t dominated by the industrialness.

Final Score: 88

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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.