Velier Carrere Montebello Basseterre 1995 12yr 58,2%

"Beautiful rarity with an independent Guadeloupe style. Pleasant dark sweetness that tastes almost like a cognac cask. Eucalyptus notes on the second tasting."

"What a lovely and intense rum. Velier really knows how to finish their rums. Very fresh and spicy with fruit, spices, caramel and tobacco and fruit. The caramel is very clear without being too dominant. I think I got a hint of smoky wood there as well."

"In direct comparison with the Basseterre 97. On the nose, the 95 is clearly more intense, more spice, vanilla and caramel (almost in the direction of Spanish). In addition, fresh, floral notes in the background. The 97 comes clearly more over the fruity side. However, apart from the significantly higher ABV, which also gives the 95 more volume and intensity on the palate, I don't find the differences here to be that pronounced. If I had to choose between the two, however, the 95 would be my clear favorite. Many thanks to Luca for the samples!"

"Just delicious and complex. I like the mix."

"Has considerably more steam to offer than the 1997, which in this case is not synonymous with more gustatory complexity. Where the 1997 plunges into aromatic subtleties, the 1995 pushes the tube and loses a little balance. A nevertheless high-quality rum, which lacks the balance for the highest consecrations (or is it actually a well-dosed dilution)?"

"Not too intrusive on the nose. Fresh and spicy. Fine citrus with cherry and slightly opaque blackberry. Comes across a bit green-herbal-grassy. Leathery spice with light vanilla. Spicy and slightly woody on the palate. Green, grassy, tea and that quite balanced. A fine tart sweetness towards caramel. Overall somewhat muted on the palate. In the finish mid-palate, now also the grassy-sweet sugar cane comes through. Nice but not outstanding"

"Interesting rum! Initially, the molasses note dominates, which then transforms into a harmonious Agricole finish."

"Heard great things and didn’t quite deliver. A super drinkable and approachable rum, sugar cane elements but super easy to drink. Grassy notes but light, and real complexity. Agricole elements keep coming to the fore the more you drink and savour. Very drinkable for the ABV. Grass, hay, and some metal"

"Direktvergleich mit dem Basseterre 1997. Beide haben ein ähnliches Profil, aber der 1995er hat deutlich mehr Power und bringt damit mehr Tiefe mit. Da hat der 97er mit seinem geringeren Alkoholgehalt schon ein leicht wässriges Mundgefühl beim Abgang. Wäre mir ohne Direktvergleich wohl aber auch gar nicht so stark aufgefallen, denn der 97er ist trotzdem ne runde Sache. Etwas fruchtiger als der 95er. Der bringt ne volle Ladung Gewürze mit, neben den Früchten. Dazu aber auch merklich mehr Holznoten. Vor allem beim langen Abgang. Beides schöne Abfüllunhen, aber der 95er macht alles ein bisschen besser."

"Un nez en deçà une bouche timide mais quelle finale j’en redemande petit shot concentré d’orange de caramel de cape de cigare de café et de note pâtissière. superbe !"