Schotman’s Barrel Selection Caroni 1999

 RumX Advent calendar, 11.12.2021, blind. Definitely Caroni and a very dirty representative. Blind then even settled on this bottling, I think it's great. Original review: Tasted for the first time at the 10th GRF in Berlin with René van Houven, thank you very much! A great Caroni that somehow inspires me. Certainly not as spectacular as other boards, especially from the well-known great vintages, this Caroni convinces me above all with its versatility. The subtle and rather fruity nose turns into wood, coffee and other bitter notes on the palate and less clearly, but definitely there is then also banished rubber and tar, so that it is also clear here: Caroni! Half a barrel and only 70 bottles, that's when the "want-to-have" instinct kicks in!

 Very classic Caroni profile, lies not only according to the vintage between the usual 98 and 2000 profiles with clear tar and gum notes paired with menthol and some caramel sweetness. A positive surprise, a really good bottling.

 RumX Advent calendar, 11.12., blind, First impression: this is a Caroni! And at 60%. That's right and I know it. I already found it good with René's rarities. This is now confirmed once again. Nose: intense and complex, yet round. First of all, typical Caroni tar and iodine with singed plastic but at the same time with a sweet caramel note and a certain fruitiness, like cherry with dried, sulphurized apricot. Dry tobacco with vanilla and a very light vinegar note at the back. Palate: full-bodied, intense and really tasty. Initially, phenol and iodine predominate with light mint, slightly salted and toasted. Then fruity redcurrant and lime. At the back again rubber and bodily violet and some black tea. Surprisingly good!!!

 Beautifully complex Caroni!

 This is the dirtiest Caroni I've tasted so far... like chewing on a licorice root! Too strong for me

 Rather on the dirty side. Surprisingly good Caroni imo.

 RumX Advent calendar 11.12.21: Awesome Caroni. The essence of the profile totally in there. Nothing for every day, but accessible and complex at the same time. My dirtiest Caroni yet. Awesome advent calendar!

 Perhaps it lacks a little of the depth of the '96 Veliers, but for me it is an extremely well-balanced Caroni!

 15.07.2021 Nothing better than meeting people for dinner and rum when you're on holiday. Notes Dark to very dark in colour. Nose Wood, light smoke, light tar, rubber, faint leather, anise. Palate Wood, roasted, cherry, raisin, light tar, rubber, medicinal, light licorice. Finish Long, wood, roasted, raisin, cherry, medium dry, anise.

 RumX Advent calendar 2021 Day 11 Great Caroni... has nice fruit and is not too dirty... Finish a little bitter but within reason. I like it .

 Now I get the "Caroni tastes dirty, like tar and plastic" comments, this one at least gives me the impression that this is what people mean, when saying that.

 #11 RumXCalendar Blind tasting: N: Woody, dirty, tar, minty, licorice, Mango M: tar, licorice, minty, wood, bitter, dry, leather F: wood(oak), vanilla, dry, black tea Prediction: this is definitely a caroni, approx. 15+ year and 60%…. I got it! It‘s a very delicious caroni. If you like it dirty, you‘ll love this one! Alcohol is integrated very well. Nose: dirty, tar, rubber, fruity, leather, minty, licorice, maple, mango, roasted, tobacco Mouth: Dry, dirty, delicious, bitter, complex, intense, minty, licorice, smoky, roasted, fruity Finish: dry, oak, astrigend, salty, tar, woody, black tea, mocha, licorice

 Typical tar and fermented berries in the nose. But also something herbal/cough syrop/fresh/menthol in the nose. More licorise/bay leaf in taste than in smell. Less fruity. Thick syropy stuff. Weird but tasty and interesting. An a-typical Caroni.

 Has everything a good Caroni needs!

 Light brown with almost green hue on the edges. Nose: Weird! I immediately get notes of medicines, fully integrated with fresh menthol, intertwined with a dusty sensation, almost like you’re taking a big sniff at your old grandma’s medicine cabinet. In background, I feel that there’s a hidden, sweeter note. Mouth: well..it must be Trinidad..in its full tar, medicine, dust, menthol, dirty glory..here the sweeter note I sensed while sniffing it, reveal itself clearly as licorice.. you also get that warm, astringent feel as other Caroni I’ve tasted.