Bristol Classic 1996 Trinidad

1996-2008 - 43%

Balanced but light. There are some typical Caroni aromas with sweeter notes of dry fruits.
Some gum, tar, dry fruits and leather, vanilla and wood in the background. Not very intensive because of the dilution. Some black currant is also there, but subtile. Great nose, but too light overall. This one would be exceptional in cask strength.

The taste starts a little bit sweet, yes it's a fruity 1996. First I get dry fruits with sweeter notes of caramel, then black currant, followed by leather and tar. Great start, the dilution is noticeable but it's still a good taste. In the middle I get some vanilla and wood. Then tar, dry fruits, black currant.
This rum is getting sweeter, when it became warm in the mouth.
The finish is a little bit spicy, I get wood, dry fruits (black currant), leather and tar. It's not that fruity in the end, but more dirty.
The aftertaste is nice, first dirty and after some minutes fruity (black currant and tar).

Good rum overall, but the dilution killed the intensity of this great rum. It was very good in cask strength. I would still rate it with 86 points.

Taste initial: dry fruits, wood, some caramel, black currant, leather, tar
Middle: vanilla, wood, tar, dry fruits, black currant (rising sweetness), dirty notes of gum and tar
Finish: some spice, wood, black currant, leather and tar
Aftertaste: leather, tar, some tannins, some wood. After some minutes black currant

Sweetness: 2/5
Fruits: 3/5
Spice: 2.5/5
Mildness: 3.5/5
Complexity: 3.5/5
Value (200€): 4/5

This is a solid, strong flavoured Caroni. Vanilla, fruits, and the famous Caroni oils. Thank God not spoiled by sweeteners, it is a true Rum with a capital R. Solidly great!

Lækker tør rom med masser at brændt gummi lakrids og røg....

Enjoyed a glass of Bristol Spirits Caroni 1996 Trinidad edition in Key West FL. Very dry and mildly woody to the nose, much dryer and more woody to the throat. Strong afterburn. There's no sugar at all on this rum, so its very hard to even classify this one as rum.

Dejlig rom som ikke er tilsat sukker - har en god eftersmag som holder ved

Dufter af brændt gummi og opløsningsmidler. Typisk whisky duft.
Smagen er fuldstændig som den dufter.
Jeg lærer det sku nok aldrig. Endnu en skuffelse

Tämligen lättdrucken med mycket olika smaker, lite citrustoner men ganska kort smak. Överlag god.

I just love these rums with no additives (sugar, colour etc. ).
I was very excited about tasting my first Caroni. This one didnt let me down.
Very fruity and sweet oak on the nose.
Balanced heavy and lite on the pallet, with oak, tar, caramel - a nice dry finish.

JD-test: 0-5 g/l sugar and 43,5 %ABV

If you're curious about trying rums from the Caroni distillery (closed 2002) but have been intimidated by their typical descriptions...lacquer, fresh leather, cigar box, acetone, burnt rubber...then this would be a great place to start. It's a "kinder, gentler" version of full-on, take-no-prisoners Caronis. This one has all the characteristics of real Trinidad rum (no, Angostura doesn't count) but the presentation is much smoother, less fiery, less intense. Still, it's full of flavor and very easy to enjoy straight up. Very good indeed.