Caroni Guyana 23 Year Blend Tasting Gang 1996 700mL

Caroni Guyana 23 Year "Tasting Gang" 1996 is a Velier-era blended Trinidad rum linked to the legendary closed Caroni distillery, released as part of the "Tasting Gang" cask programme and bottled at full proof. Despite the "Guyana" wording on the label, this is a Trinidad rum drawn from the remaining Caroni ageing stock — a collector's bottle for drinkers who appreciate heavy, oily and complex tropical-aged spirits.

From the Producer

Caroni was the state-owned sugar factory and rum distillery in central Trinidad, operating its own column stills alongside sugar production for most of the 20th century and producing a heavy, high-ester molasses rum. After the Trinidad and Tobago government closed the estate in 2002, the remaining maturing casks were left in place and eventually acquired by Italian independent bottler Velier working with Caribbean partner LCU; Velier has since released the stock slowly as single-cask and small-batch bottlings, building the modern cult reputation for Caroni as a style. The Tasting Gang casks are a specific subset of those Velier-era releases, allocated to rum-focused groups and tasting communities who follow the Caroni programme closely. The 1996 distillate in this release sits in the older, well-integrated tier of remaining Caroni stock and the blend draws on that heavy, tarry house character the distillery is famous for. Bottled at natural cask strength, without colouring or chill-filtration, in line with Velier's house style.

Tasting Profile

• Nose: Molasses, tar, oak, dried fruit, herbs and warm spice.
• Palate: Dense and textured, with dark sugar, petrol-like Caroni character, oak, spice and savoury depth.
• Finish: Long and assertive, with resin, spice and lingering molasses.

Best For

Rare rum collectors, Caroni tastings and experienced drinkers who enjoy full-proof bottlings.

Product Details