As the last chapter of Trinidad's near mythical Caroni Distillery slowly plays out, it is of course Italian bottler Velier who is credited with having rediscovered the lost rums that is penning its swan song. This has thus far come in the form of LM&V's Caroni Paradise series which is said to contain the last casks of Caroni rums that were brought over to Cognac, France, where they have been filled into glass demijohns, thereby freezing them in time with no further wood ageing to occur (drawing parallels to Cognac's practice of preserving its brandies for even centuries in cool, darkened cellars known as Paradis) , allowing them to remain fully tropically aged. These bottlings therefore present themselves as the preservations of what is left of the ghost distillery's true character.
First unveiled in 2022, we've thus far seen the release of Caroni Paradise #1 through #12, each carrying a painting from local artist Che Lovelace donned over mouth-blown glass bottles made by Massimo Lunardon in Italy.
From left to right:
- The Last Song - 2020 (acrylic and dry pigments on wooden panels - 152,4 × 127 cm)
- Mas - 2019 (acrylic and dry pigments on wooden panels - 152,4 × 127 cm)
- Dancer’s Ambition - 2019 (acrylic and dry pigments on wooden panels - 152,4 × 127 cm)
- Portrait of a Man - 2020 (acrylic and dry pigments on wooden panels - 76,2 × 63,5 cm)
- The Embrace at the Falls - 2022 (acrylic and dry pigments on wooden panels - 147,32 × 127 cm) By Che Lovelace
Into 2026, we'll see a further five editions released, number #13 to #17. Here's the full details!
CARONI 1996 Paradise #13 Heavy Trinidad Rum #5607
Trinidad and Tobago, Molasses Rum, 62.2% ABV
Official Tasting Notes
Colour: Mahogany.
Aroma: Rich and heady. The aroma palette, of remarkable concentration and complexity, displays scents of tar, burnt cane, petroleum, pipe tobacco, iris concrete, rose petals, curry, and exotic fruits (persimmon, mango). With a little aeration, vetiver notes and an apricot-nuanced rancio gradually impose themselves in the atmosphere.
Taste: Full-bodied and broad. Faithful to the complexity of the nose, the attack finds a fine refreshing balance thanks to bursts of blood orange. The palate then becomes oilier (black olive) and smokier (fish), before gaining intensity on peppery (Cayenne), resinous (Lebanon cedar), and empyreumatic (fuel, coal tar) touches.
Finish: Long and concentrated. A surge of tangy exotic fruits (kaffir lime, pineapple, passion fruit) comes to irrigate the palate at the opportune moment. The tasting then steers toward more sappy (pine), heady (carnation), and fibrous (sugar cane) notes. Retro-olfaction concludes on a both vanillic and slightly butyric imprint.
CARONI 1994 Paradise #14 Heavy Trinidad Rum #6133
Trinidad and Tobago, Molasses Rum, 53.3% ABV
Official Tasting Notes
Colour: Ebony.
Aroma: Dense and of extreme complexity. A festival of citrus fruits (blood orange), small red and black fruits (strawberry, blueberry), apricot kernel, prune, chocolate, iris, and passion fruit, supported by sandalwood, camphor, and toffee. In counterpoint, the inseparable notes of tar, diesel, Papier d’Arménie, and flambéed banana hammer home the Caroni signature.
Taste: Dynamic and incisive. Faithful to the nose, it gives pride of place to medicinal (methylene blue) and petroleum-like notes. The profile then softens onto exotic fruits (banana, mango, pineapple), then slides toward chocolate, summer fruits (orange, apricot), heather honey, and autumnal shades of chestnut and prune.
Finish: Richness and silky freshness. Simultaneously mineral (schist, lava), powdery (cocoa), spicy (ginger), and saline, it recalls the red fruits of the nose with a rose petal nuance. The retro-olfaction looks toward great American whiskeys, blending 100% dark chocolate, hydrocarbons, and telluric notes.
CARONI 1996 Paradise #15 Heavy Trinidad Rum #3801
Trinidad and Tobago, Molasses Rum, 65.1% ABV
Official Tasting Notes
Colour: Copper with orange glints.
Aroma: Characterful and of great finesse. The balanced attack swings between candied fruits (mirabelle plum, pear), apricots, mineral nuances (schist, lava), and a touch of arnica. After a few moments, the feeling of harmony reinforces on notes of heather honey, iris concrete, licorice, and dark chocolate.
Taste: Both dynamic and smooth. More empyreumatic (petroleum, varnish), the palate faithfully echoes the main axes of the nose. Over time, it gains roundness thanks to cane sugar, then shifts into a more tertiary and autumnal register (dry leaves, undergrowth, mushroom).
Finish: Long, enveloping, and velvety. A surge of spices (clove, star anise, cinnamon) joins animal flavours (bacon), licorice, and herbaceous notes evoking tobacco. The retro-olfaction evokes a woodworking workshop, between wood dust and rare essences (rosewood).
CARONI 1998 Paradise #16 Heavy Trinidad Rum #3929
Trinidad and Tobago, Molasses Rum, 60.5% ABV
Official Tasting Notes
Colour: Deep mahogany.
Aroma: Powerful and expressive. Magnificently open profile navigating between exotic fruits (guava, mango), peppery spices (Cayenne), resinous notes (pine), and heady whiffs. Resting in the glass releases aromas of well-ripe banana and pineapple, quickly joined by empyreumatic nuances of varnish and tar.
Taste: Incisive and dynamic. From the attack, typical hydrocarbon markers (petroleum, gasoline) sign the house style. A fine framework of licorice and ground ginger then coats the palate before giving way to a more oriental spicy register (curry, turmeric) and floral notes (ylang-ylang).
Finish: Long and silky. Perfectly balanced, it evolves toward a more powdery texture (rice, ginger), enriched with camphorated and medicinal touches (balm, arnica). The retro-olfaction offers a fine agreement between pipe tobacco, raisins, and very ripe bananas.
CARONI 2000 Paradise #17 Heavy Trinidad Rum #4026
Trinidad and Tobago, Molasses Rum, 61% ABV
Official Tasting Notes
Colour: Copper with orange glints.
Aroma: Both dense and complex. In the background, whiffs of soot, tar, light hydrocarbons, and tincture of iodine immediately claim the Caroni identity. The attack opens on a warmer register, blending notes of dried fruits (walnut, chestnut, almond) with a basket of exotic fruits (kaffir lime, mango, banana, pineapple). A few heady floral touches (lily, iris, carnation) and candied citrus fruits (orange, mandarin) bring a lovely freshness.
Taste: Slender and full of character. Recalling the texture of a freshly cut licorice stick, the palate becomes imbued with petroleum nuances, animal touches (bacon), and essential oils (savory, rosemary) of great finesse. With aeration, Bourbon vanilla, clove, and fresh ginger combine to offer a texture that is both invigorating and velvety.
Finish: Full-bodied and concentrated. Slightly mineral (lava) and medicinal, it stretches across notes of infusion (verbena), roots (gentian), dandelion, and citrus fruits. On the retro-olfaction, lemon accents evolve toward orange zests, accompanied by lichen, dry leaves, and chestnut evoking autumn, all supported by a honeyed (lavender) and floral (hyacinth) touch. The empty glass leaves an imprint deeply marked by the Caroni signature.
Kanpai!
88 Bamboo Editorial Team
