CARONI 2000 Whisky Live Paris 2025 Edition

Founded in 1918, Caroni was Trinidad’s state-owned distillery and one of the Caribbean’s most distinctive producers. With its own sugar refinery and a constant supply of local cane, the distillery became renowned for its powerful, tar-rich “heavy rums”, a style that earned near mythical status after Caroni was permanently closed by the Trinidadian government in 2002. For decades, its name was known only within a small circle of specialists, rarely appearing on labels despite its unmistakable character.

Everything changed in 2004, when hundreds of forgotten Caroni casks were discovered in a bonded warehouse in Trinidad. Velier and La Maison du Whisky jointly acquired this extraordinary trove, releasing a series of limited-edition vintages that rapidly achieved cult status among rum enthusiasts worldwide. This historic cache also inspired the iconic 12 year old Caroni, the youngest and final age-stated Caroni ever released.

Distilled in 2000, this exceptional release spent 18 years ageing in Trinidad, where intense tropical maturation resulted in an astonishing 80% angel’s share. The rum was then transferred to glass demijohns for a further seven years, allowing its aromatic structure to stabilise and deepen while preserving a unique, velvety texture.

Bottled exclusively for Whisky Live Paris 2025, this rare Caroni 2000 is limited to just 300 bottles globally at 50.6% ABV, a singular snapshot of Trinidad’s lost distillery, shaped by extreme climate, time, and one of the most remarkable rediscoveries in rum history.