TBRC Caroni Islay Cask Finish 2023

This was the one rum I have in my collection I was the most nervous about - previous experience of ex-Islay cask matured rums haven’t been overly great where the cask utterly dominated the spirit in it however this one does fight back and you can taste some of the rum through the ex-Islay whisky notes The nose is a little bite-y and nippy (combination of Caroni and high ABV I’m putting that down to) however there is a gentle waft of peat smoke but nothing like huffing down a dirty, young smoke bomb like some Islay whiskies! You also get some oakiness and a spicy nature to it as well - weird to say it smells heavy, thick and creamy!! Must be that distillate battering through the cask influences! On the palate, it’s equally complex - it starts gentle then the longer it sits on your palate, it heats up and unleashes the spiciness on your tongue! Ground/white pepper, baking spices that tickle the tongue! There’s a little peat and malt notes in their but they absolutely play second fiddle to the rum, more like a supporting act. Finally there is a little fruitiness at the back of the palate of what I suspect is Sherry cask (raisins, dried fruits etc) Finish is medium to long All in all, this an unexpected excellent rum - it’s my first bottle of Caroni I now own and now looking forward to improving the relationship with my bank manager to help fund future purchases…. It appears I love Trinidad rum!

Funny, the peat works well because it doesn't take over too much, not necessarily what I prefer but it's well done.

Un nez bizarre avec de la douceur pâtissière, des fruits, mais aussi des notes de fumée et d’huile de machine à coudre. Des flaveurs déviantes aussi, whisky tourbé, médicaments et solvants. On se demande où est le rhum ici, la bouche est clairement dominée par le whisky tourbé, les médicaments sont là et restent longtemps. Du bois fumé aussi. Une cabane au fond d’un bois sombre dans laquelle brûle un feu de tourbe. La finale est plutôt courte, sauf les arômes de bois fumé qui restent très longtemps. Pas beaucoup de plaisir ici pour mon goût.

Un whisky à l'alcool particulièrement piquant. Dommage, on était sensé goûter un rhum avec finish whisky. Mais ici, ça ne fonctionne pas. Je ne sais pas si le jus d'origine etait mauvais et nécessitait ce genre de finish marquant ou si c'est du gâchis pur et simple mais dans les deux cas c'est un échec.

Drinkable without question. But it no longer has anything to do with a rum, let alone Caroni. Unfortunately, the finish completely overshadows it, so that not much of the origin can be recognized. Perhaps just right for smoky whiskey fans.

Whisky not rum, like Talisker or Laproigh too much of peat taste.

If I was to have tasted blindly I would have said Laphroaig! The Islay whisky finish has just taken over unfortantly, there is some kind of sweetness in the background but nothing Caroni. As an Islay whisky I give it 7.5 to 8. As a rum it's below 7 for sure. Just too far removed from what it's meant to be. Even on the finish, all I'm getting is peaty like notes.