(Image Source: LMDW)

The first two bottlings in the new Paradise series of Caroni's have been unveiled in La Maison du Whisky's latest creation catalogue - a pair of cask strength Caroni's distilled in 1996 and 1998.

The provenance of the rums traces back to 2004 when they were discovered by Luca Gargano, the chief of Velier, just after the closure of the Caroni distillery, with vintages from 1974 to 2000. The casks were left in Trinidad until 2019 before being sent to the Cognac region of France, where Caroni specialists were involved in selecting the barrels to be bottled individually. The rums were then moved into demijohns for storage.

Glass demijohns stored in paradis - a cognac tradition. (Image Source: LVMH)

As such, the Paradise range is named in tribute to a cognac tradition in which mature eau de vie is transferred to glass demijohns to rest in dark warehouses named the paradis, which house some of the oldest cognacs.

The Paradise bottlings come in  mouth-blown glass bottles by Massimo Lunardon in Italy, and are decorated with artworks by Trinidadian artist Che Lovelace, the first two featuring the works Resting Woman and Large Dancer, which are part of Luca Gargano's collection. The works are inspired by the luxurious landscapes of Trinidad and Tobago, the "bright and light paintings take us into a world without perspective or time, where human and vegetation become one".

Caroni 1996 Guyana Blended Paradise #1

Trinidad & Tobago, Molasses Rum - 62.7% ABV, 70cl

Single Cask #5552 (LMDW Exclusive)

(Image Source: LMDW)

The Caroni 1996 Paradise #1 sports an ester content of 150.4g/hL AA, it is said to "prefer alternation over continuity. It episodically recreates the petrol and telluric notes Caroni is so renowned for. And yet, with rare intensity, its floral, waxy, fruity, pastry and precious woody registers are the highlights that have shaped the extraordinary personality of its flavor and aroma palette." 

The Caroni 1996 Paradise #1 has an outturn of 250 bottles.

Tasting Notes

Color

Orangey copper.

Aroma

Lively, powerful.

The finely liquorice and vanilla first nose is also heady (iris, gardenia, gillyflower).

Allowed to breathe, very delicate notes of varnish and beeswax bring the aroma palette patina. Then, gradually, fragrances of apricot, citrus fruit (lime, bitter orange), brandied cherries and a hint of turpentine very eloquently illustrate its oxidative character.

Taste

Invigorating, sharp.

Overflowing with vitality, the attack is refreshed with the juice from pressed citrus fruits (orange grapefruit, kaffir lime). Lingering on, slightly burnt cane sugar and the flavors of flambeed banana seize the palate.

The slender mid-palate is like biting into liquorice sticks. Just as rich, the end of the palate is pastry-like (flan, wild peach tart).

Finish

Long, heady.

The floral (lavender, violet), mineral (schist), telluric (lava) and chocolatey start of the finish gradually reveals numerous dried fruit and nuts (grilled chestnut, sweet chestnut, date, fig). At the end of the finish, flavrs of warm sugar cane and salted butter caramel bring lots of creaminess to the flavor palette.

On the retro-nasal olfaction, sweet oranges and melons refresh the palate. The empty glass is characterised by notes of precious wood, black liquorice, curry and infused verbena. 

Caroni 1998 Guyana Blended Paradise #2

Trinidad & Tobago, Molasses Rum - 56.3% ABV, 70cl

Single Cask #3918 (LMDW Exclusive)

(Image Source: LMDW)

The Caroni 1998 Paradise #2 carries an ester content of 130.5g/hL AA, it is said to "reveal the petrol notes on the nose that helped build the immense reputation of this now legendary rum. It would be remiss to reduce this bottling to just these empyreumatic notes, however, as its flavor and aroma palette is also filled with fruity and floral notes that rival each other in intensity."

The Caroni 1998 Paradise #2 has a total outturn of 269 bottles.

Tasting Notes

Color

Deep orangey copper.

Aroma

Full, distinguished. 

On the first nose, notes of petrol, tar and burnt earth immediately engrave the Caroni trademark on the front of the aroma palette.

Allowed to breathe, superb aromas of mango, orange, apricot, fig and date counterbalance this empyreumatic opening. Heady florals (iris butter, tuberose, rose poivrée) then appear alongside toffee, soot and smoked meat (bacon, bresaola).

Taste

Invigorating, rich.

On the attack, flavors of dark chocolate and burnt, almost peaty sugar cane seep deep into the taste buds.

On the mid-palate, citrus fruits (clementine orange) and vanilla pods form a refreshing and unctuous transition. Heady (geranium, vetiver) and drawing out the attack, slightly caramelised cane sugar notes feed an unctuous end to the palate.

Finish

Long, intense.

Also covered in petrol notes, the start of the  finish is silky (peach skin). The dynamic end of the finish heads out to conquer spicy (cardamom, saffron) and vegetal (chocolatey and oily Havana cigar) lands.

On the retro-nasal olfaction, flavors of sleet, grilled walnut and benzoin linger long after the tasting. The empty glass exactly recreates the mineral and empyreumatic character of the first nose.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot