Caroni 1996, 1998 & 2000 Extra Strong Trinidad Rum Bottled 2012, 2013, 2015 & 2017 - Velier 4 x 70cl

This lot contains four bottles of Caroni Extra Strong Trinidad Rum bottled by Velier. The labels are reproductions of originals from the 1940s, chosen to commemorate the golden age of Trinidad rum:

1 x Caroni 12 Year Old which contains rum from the 2000 vintage, the last Trinidad molasses distilled at the Caroni Distillery. This was bottled in March 2012, 70cl, 50% ABV

1 x Caroni 15 Year Old Extra Strong Trinidad Rum. This was distilled in February 1998 and bottled in November 2013 for Velier. 70cl, 52% ABV

1 x Caroni 17 Year Old Extra Strong Trinidad Rum. This was distilled in 1998 and bottled in November 2015 for Velier, 70cl, 55% ABV

1 x Caroni 21 Year Old Extra Strong Trinidad Rum. This was distilled in 1996 and bottled in 2017 for Velier, 70cl, 57.18% ABV

The Caribbean island of Trinidad was once to home to more than 50 distilleries, today just one remains. Caroni is one of the island's lost distilleries, having closed its doors for good in 2002. It was established in 1923 and utilised both pot and column stills to produce the characteristic 'heavy' rum it has since become known for. The distillery supplied rum to the British Navy for many years and the raw materials were sourced from its own sugar refinery. In an unpopular move, the Trinidad government sold a 49% share of Rum Distillers Limited to Angostura, and the Caroni distillery closed a year later. Shortly after its closure, Luca Gargano of Italian spirits company Velier discovered hundreds of barrels of maturing Caroni rum, some dating back 30 years. These casks were purchased and bottled, 'Caronimania' took hold and the rum rapidly gained cult status amongst spirits fans.

This Caroni 1996, 1998 & 2000 Extra Strong Trinidad Rum sold at our online auction for £650