A rare 1998 vintage, this 16 Year Old Caroni Full Proof Heavy Trinidad Rum was bottled by the legendary independent bottler Velier, long after the Caroni distillery had closed its doors for good. Distilled in 1998 and matured entirely in Trinidad’s tropical climate, the casks endured the island’s relentless heat for the full aging period. With an angel’s share exceeding 77%, what remains is deeply concentrated and unapologetically powerful. Bottled at natural cask strength, 64.5% ABV, this was released in 2015 as Velier’s 32nd Caroni edition, limited to just 2,750 individually numbered bottles. The nose is unmistakably Caroni: tar, dark chocolate, tropical fruit, rubber, and worn leather. On the palate, layers of cocoa, smoky oak, licorice, and caramel unfold with weight and intensity. Give it time in the glass and it settles into remarkable balance without losing its muscular, heavy style. An exclusive expression from a distillery that no longer exists, this is classic Full Proof Caroni for serious collectors and seasoned palates. Not just a bottle, but a preserved fragment of Trinidad’s rum heritage. Bottle no. 002180 of 2750 total.