Caroni 1996 Trinidad Paradise #4 (70cl, 68.1%)

This is a heavy Trinidad rum from Caroni, distilled from molasses in 1996. Paradise #4 combines tropical cask maturation with a later rest in glass. The rum comes from single cask number 3786 and matured until 2019 in Trinidad and Tobago, then was stored in large glass demijohns in Cognac until bottling in 2023. The edition comprises 225 bottles of 70cl at 68.1% vol. It is neither coloured nor chill-filtered and is offered in a gift box. The label shows Shanna and Sita by Trinidadian artist Che Lovelace, whose works accompany the Paradise series. Nose: light and compact, with caramel and vanilla alongside bright tropical fruit notes and nectarine. Palate: oily texture with pronounced sweetness reminiscent of nectar and maple syrup, then tarry notes adding depth. Finish: acetone and lacquer notes come forward, with lingering nectar sweetness and sweet raisins and a light dryness from oak.