SMWS Caroni R13.5 Captivating, Robust and Nimble (Bar 1802) 1998

A Caroni that drinks like a dream. The nose shows beautiful influences from peat, petrol notes (gasoline, tar, rubber), but also caramel candy, dark chocolate, coffee, raisin, and spices. The whole is rich and intense but offers a lot of softness and indulgence. The attack on the palate continues in a linear way. Leather, coffee, licorice, and spices offer a powerful mix but are quickly softened by milk chocolate and caramel. There aren’t as many dirty notes as usual for Caroni (although the gasoline is clearly noticeable), but the peat and tannins take a more dominant place. The alcohol is superbly well integrated. The finish is long, still tangled among the smoky notes, the combo of chocolate and caramel, but also fruits, more exotic and more pronounced than in the rest of the tasting. A very convincing Caroni, round and well-balanced, offering a nice showcase of Trinidad terroir.

Sehr guter Caroni, der in meinen Augen nicht mit den Top Releases von Velier mithalten kann. Für Whisky Liebhaber wird diese Abfüllung jedoch nochmal extra interessant sein mit dem ganzen Torf und Raucheinfluss.

Better enjoy a few samples before I have to pick up my wife very late in the evening today. Listening to some nice Trance on Spotify. Nose Wood, lightly roasted, faint smoke, faint mint, leather, light tannins, raisin, faint diesel. Palate Oily, warm, wood, lightly roasted, light smoke, faint chocolate, light medicinal, faint leather, tannins, dried fruit, light diesel. Finish Long and warm, wood, faint smoke, light diesel, faint tar, light chocolate. Empty glass Light smoke, vanilla, faint chocolate, dried fruit, faint cherry.

Where to start? First, the bottle is incredible in its detail. Then smoke and peat (or hydrocarbons?) take over. The fruit is clearly present, even if in hindsight it doesn't go through all the states, and we end up with a smell that's impossible to get out of my head. Last glass at 1802, because after that nothing can stand up to me!

So I was really looking forward to this bottle, because I had to go directly to the ExcellenceRhum in Paris to get it, and experience tells me that what you choose forbar 1802 is worth it. To smell and taste. After the initial sniff, it's clear to me that it's going to be about smokiness and peat. Dried fruit, leather and mint come out. On the palate, the peatiness is there, tannins, dried fruits, leather, mint, a bit of kerosene. It's a heavier rum, which has to be the right time, but then it puts a smile on your face.

Nose gives recognizable Caroni scents, smoky with some tar and funnily it's slightly peated. There are also fruits, dark chocolate and Espresso tones. As the glass gradually empties I feel some apple and wax notes. It's a very good nose ! Palate gives many flavours already got on nose. It's dry with iodine, mint and leather. It finishes long and pretty smooth, still smoky and peated, with fruits, dark chocolate and iodine. A very good Caroni !

Typischer 98er Caroni mit leicht torfigen Note. Keiner der besten caronis aber insgesamt schöner rum!