Ron Carúpano Reserve Vintage 1996 (70cl, 40%)

A Venezuelan rum from Ron Carúpano, drawn from the owner's family private reserve and released once a year in a run of 5,000 crystal decanters. It is the only expression in the range matured across two separate sealed ex-bourbon casks, with no replenishment of the angel's share. The rum comes from the Macarapana Valley near Cumaná in Sucre state, a region with more than 260 years of rum-making tradition. The double-cask journey stretched up to 24 years. It has a dark, intense amber colour with orange highlights. The nose brings caramel, fennel, candied and macerated fruits, almonds, cinnamon, tonka bean, coconut, cacao nibs, cigar box, coffee and gentle smoke. The palate shows toffee, dates, prunes and almonds, with wood elevated enough to fill the mouth without overwhelming it.