Caroni 1997 Spirits Shop' Selection 21 Years Old / The Legend Collection

Caroni 1997 Spirits Shop' Selection 21 Years Old / The Legend Collection

The Caroni distillery was probably founded in 1918, but there is evidence that distillation took place there earlier in the 20th century. In 1936, it became part of Tate & Lyle, which used it to expand its sugar production in Trinidad. Caroni was an important part of British Navy rations, particularly due to its high-ester "heavy" rums.

With the decline of the sugar industry in Trinidad, Tate & Lyle sold 51% of its shares to the government in 1970, which then completely nationalized the distillery in 1975. Despite being self-sufficient in molasses, Caroni continued to operate at a loss. In 2003, the distillery was finally closed after a planned sale to Angostura fell through due to disputes over inventory.

After the closure, Angostura acquired a large portion of the remaining 18,000 barrels for blends. Additional barrels were acquired by Velier's Luca Gargano in 2004, while many others were exported to Europe and marketed there by independent bottlers such as Bristol Spirits and the Main Rum Company.

The Caroni 1997 presented here was bottled for the Spirits Shop' Selection "The Legend Collection" in 2018. Matured in bourbon cask No. 65, only 220 bottles exist.

Spirits Shop' Selection was founded in Taiwan in 2014 by Dong Fang Ming. His goal was to build a "cultural bridge between East and West" by importing high-quality Scottish whiskies and rums with elegant, Asian-inspired labels. Initially, the company collaborated with Sansibar Whisky from Germany, but later established itself as an independent brand.

Caroni 1997 – Spirits Shop' Selection / The Legend Collection

A strictly limited single cask bottling from the closed Caroni Distillery (Trinidad & Tobago). 21 years of maturation in ex-bourbon casks shape the classic heavy Trinidad profile: dark molasses, tar/asphalt notes, spice, ripe citrus, licorice, and polished wood. Bottled at cask strength, unfiltered and without additives – a distinctive, collectible Caroni for old-school enthusiasts.

specifications

• Distillery: Caroni (closed)
• Age: 21 years old
• Year of birth: 1997
• Region: Trinidad and Tobago
• Bottler: Spirits Shop' Selection – The Legend Collection
• Year of bottling: 2018
• Barrel type/barrel no.: Ex-bourbon barrel / Cask #65 (single cask)
• Alcohol content: 63.8% ABV
• Bottle size: 70 cl
• Production method: Column still (HTR – Heavy Trinidad Rum)
• Base: Molasses

One of 220 bottles