Caroni 19 Year Old Berry Brothers and Rudd / The Nectar

Established in 1923 on the site of the sugar factory for which it was named, Caroni was a key ingredient of British Navy rations, where it's famous high ester 'Heavy' rums help to make up the signature flavour. Sadly, with the decline of the Trinidadian sugar industry, the Islands distillers became more and more dependent upon imported molasses, making distilling less and less economical. The writing then, was already on the wall when in 2001 the Trinidadian government sold a 49% share in the holding company to Angostura. Caroni was shuttered in 2002 and a behemoth of flavour was lost to the world.

A 19 year old single cask Caroni, bottled by Berry Bros. and Rudd for The Nectar, Belgium

Berry Brothers and Rudd is a firm steeped in history. They were established in the late 17th century, and received a Royal Warrant from King Edward VII in 1903. The company has been bottling single malt whisky from almost as early as that, and produced their first ever blend, Cutty Sark, in 1923.

The Nectar was founded in Belgium in 2006 by Mario Groteklaes and Jan Broekmans. In addition to being a well-respected independent bottler, they are also one of Belgium's largest wine and spirit importers.