First Impressions
Another extraordinary release from the now-legendary Caroni distillery, this 25-year-old single cask bottling from Decadent Drinks (the Rum Sponge series) spent a quarter century in a first-fill barrel. Caroni's cult status continues to grow with every passing year, and bottles like this — with their bold, industrial character — are the reason why.
Tasting Notes
The nose is pure Caroni. Tar and asphalt dominate, with dark chocolate and espresso providing depth. Overripe banana offers a tropical counterpoint, while burnt rubber and petrol add the industrial complexity that Caroni is famous for. It's challenging, divisive, and utterly captivating.
On the palate, tar and engine oil hit with authority. Dark molasses and burnt caramel provide sweetness, bitter chocolate adds bitterness, and diesel funk is unmistakable. But underneath all that industrial muscle, there's tropical fruit — a reminder that this was once a Caribbean rum before 25 years of maturation transformed it into something else entirely. The depth is extraordinary.
The finish is immensely long. Tar and chocolate layer with industrial notes, and tropical fruit emerges and evolves over minutes. This is a spirit that stays with you long after the glass is empty.
How to Drink It
Neat, with water added gradually. The 57.1% ABV benefits from dilution, which opens up the tropical fruit beneath the tar. Take your time — this deserves an hour of your undivided attention.
The Bottom Line
This Caroni 1998 earns a 9 — exceptional aged rum from a distillery that will never produce another drop. At £396, it's more accessible than many Caroni bottlings, though still firmly in collector territory. For rum enthusiasts, this is a bucket-list bottle.
