Caroni Rum Sponge No. 1 1998 22yr 57,1%

"An exceptional Caroni single cask. Perfect balance between machine shop notes and tropical fruit. Subtle balance between strength, alcohol bite and depth of aroma. A magnificent nose followed by a slightly different but equally beautiful palate. Endless length, but above all a silky, rich finish. A rum that whisky lovers should adore for its peatiness. A little too subtle for lovers of extreme Caronis. A single cask that escaped Luca Gargano's vigilance?"

"wow, quel beau caroni continental !"

"A Caroni more gentle and subtle than other expressions of the same vintage. The nose is well-balanced, with tropical fruits holding their own against hydrocarbons, while sweet, caramelized notes compete with spices, wood and leather. Roasted and toasted notes add depth to a rather greedy nose. The battle continues on the palate. On the one hand, pineapple, banana, vanilla and caramel promote roundness with a certain mellowness on the palate. On the other, the dirty, oily, heavy side is represented by tarry, rubbery tire markers, strongly toasted oak and leather. Spices swirl around and add intensity to this duel of opposing styles. The alcohol is very well integrated. The finish is the deciding factor. Despite medicinal notes and strong markers of Trinidadian terroir, the arrival of chocolate allows sweetness to have the last word. It hovers throughout the tasting, enveloping the heavy notes with voluptuous grace. A beautiful cuvée, round, generous and with a fine touch of finesse."

"Nez très rond avec des notes sales discrètes, mais des notes fruitées et des notes discrètes de caramel. En bouche, une attaque de fût pointue, un peu de goudron, des épices, un peu de fruits. Agréable à boire, même si le profil Caroni est peu prononcé, surtout pour le millésime 98 plutôt intense."