Caroni 2000 17 Year Old Cask #R4008 TWE Exclusive

Tasting notes by Billy Abbott, The Whisky Exchange

• Nose

  One to leave in the glass for a while, as it shifts and changes over time. From bitter char, thick caramel and a touch of something medicinal, to sweet Sauternes, cherry Coke and polished leather. In between there are touches of wood glue, varnish and spiced bread dusted with dark brown sugar. Floral touches rise to the surface – rosy dark chocolates and summer meadows – only to disappear under a wave of rich orange: candied peel, fresh zest and flamed twists.

• Palate

  Intense. The char and medicinal notes lead the way to a pool of thick toffee and orange. Gentle smoke and anise float above. Cherry Coke reappears along with dark chocolate, Ribena blackcurrants and layers of sugar: molasses, spun sugar, Demerara and bittersweet burnt caramel. Singed spices provide a background, floating on a pool of molten bitter Italian liquorice pastilles.

• Finish

  Dark, spicy and long. Chocolate, liquorice and barrel char fade to leave mint and anise.

• Comment

  It’s what you want from a tropically-matured Caroni: it’s got complexity, lightness, darkness, and layers and layers of flavour. At full strength it’s not for the faint hearted, but it rewards time in the glass and careful exploration.