Velier Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum 17 HTR 1998 17yr 55%

"Nice representative of dirty 1998 Caronis at a good PLV. Of course, it cannot compete with high-end Caronis, but it is still convincing. Typical Caroni with tar, menthol, rubber and some diesel."

"Wonderful Caroni with (still) very good value for money."

"Epic Velier Caroni Tasting 2023: A more than solid standard. Great aromatics, the tropical aging comes into its own and adds depth - in the spectrum of Velier Caronis this only reaches the lower midfield, but across all Caronis to be found in the extended top group."

"The first time I tasted this rum blind I didn't recognize Caroni, it didn't have enough oxidation to reveal its full potential. A complex nose of tar, smoke and red fruits. A palate with a very broad and deep aromatic palette. A finish as expected from Caroni, infinite and complex. The end of the bottle is delicious!"

"Deep and rich on the nose. Well balanced yet rather dirt forwards, making it a very interesting 98 nose for my preferences. Compared to the 15y, the nose has more depth and complexity to it, ie the clear winner for me. Powerful on the palate as well. Compared to the 15y, reduction in ABV is way less harmful here. Dirt, choclate and some dried fruit providing good complexity and intensity overall."

"A very nice Caroni. Nose: dried fruit, tar, iodine, little smoke. Taste: dried fruit, raisin, a little oak and tar, again some smoke. Complex and smooth. Very tasty and easy too drink - i like it"

"A Caroni with a very seductive profile. The nose is initially quite soft, revealing notes of vanilla, dried fruit, menthol, pepper and a delicate woodiness. The nose then reveals typical empyreumatic aromas, with notes of smoke, rubber, tar, leather and tobacco. A floral breeze and orange zest graze the nostrils as the rum airs out. One of the most appealing and varied noses among caronis. On the palate, the rum is initially very delicate, followed by grimy notes of tar, rubber, smoke, roasted hazelnuts, spices and a perceptible burnt woodiness. Tobacco and leather confirm the trend on the palate, while dried fruit and red berries try to get in on the action. Despite the rather low 55 degrees for a Caroni, the profile is very pleasant, dirty, expressive and elegant. The very long finish returns to Caroni's dirty side, with lots of empyreumatic notes (burnt sensation, rubber, tar), spices, wood, roasted hazelnuts and a bitterness that nails the taste show. A very good representative of the distillery that has disappeared, which can still be found despite the rise in speculation."

"Macht einfach Spass. Schade wird es dieses Profil nicht immer geben."

"Heute durfte das erste mal der 17-jährige ins Glas. Die tropische Reifung hatte ordentlichen Einfluss auf den Rum. Es ringen Fruchtigkeit, Eiche, Vanille und Gummi um die Vorherrschaft. Am Ende entsteht ein komplexer Rum mit einem langanhalteten warmen Abgang. Der Alkohol ist leicht spürbar, allerdings nicht unangenehm. Für mich nochmal eine ganze Ecke besser als der 15 jährige. Sehr lecker und für Caroni Verhältnisse auch noch einigermaßen erschwinglich."

"Much better than the 15 years. The flavors are much more pronounced in nose and mouth. Still a touch on the light side but everything that I love about Caroni can be found in this rum."

"I found this caroni top in a comparative tasting of the classic velier caroni series. With the 21 they are of an admirable complexity!"