Caroni 1998 23YO Barrel 50.8% The MaltCask x Drunkard

The MaltCask x Drunkard | Caroni 1998 23YO｜50.8%
The Karuizawa of the Rum World
A Rare Piece of Trinidad’s Legendary History

▍About the Rum

Caroni 1998 23YO is a rare single cask rum released through a collaboration between The MaltCask and Drunkard.

Distilled in 1998 and matured for 23 years, it is bottled at 50.8% cask strength, preserving the bold and unmistakable Heavy Rum character for which Caroni is celebrated.

Founded in 1918 in Trinidad, Caroni supplied rich, heavy rums to the British Royal Navy. After the local government ceased sugarcane cultivation in 2001, the distillery officially closed in 2002. Its remaining stock has since become legendary, earning Caroni the title “The Karuizawa of the Rum World.”

This 1998 vintage captures the distillery’s iconic heavy style — intense, layered, and unapologetically powerful.

▍Tasting Notes

Nose:
Cane sugar and caramel lead the way, followed by baked cake, cocoa, tobacco, and coconut oil. A touch of mint lifts the profile, alongside distinctive industrial notes of glue and savory dressing. With water, vanilla and American oak emerge with added elegance.

Palate:
Bold cocoa and mocha dominate the entry, balanced by mint freshness, spice, and firm tannins. Subtle tea-like bitterness and lively acidity provide structure. A few drops of water reveal menthol mints and deeper tobacco tones.

Finish:
Long and structured. Caramel, smoke, and mint linger with a drying, industrial edge that defines classic Caroni.

▍Style Summary

This is a rum defined by:

• 1998 vintage
• 23 years matured
• Single cask release
• 50.8% cask strength
• Classic Heavy Rum style
• Caramel × Tobacco × Industrial notes
• Closed distillery rarity

Ideal for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate bold structure and authentic Caroni character.