April Auction starts Friday 12 April. Bottle deadline 8 April.

Caroni Superb Light White Rum Kenneth Abbot early 1970s

Lot: 5077741

Caroni Superb Light White Rum Kenneth Abbot early 1970s

Winning Bid: £1,100

Currency Estimate

Important: Currency exchange rates are constantly changing; this feature is to be used as a guide price only. All final transactions occur in British Pounds (£).
Lot:
Distillery: 
Caroni
Region: 
Trinidad
Bottler: 
Kenneth Abbot Ltd
Bottled Strength: 
70 proof
Bottle Size: 
26 2/3 Fl.ozs
Distillery Status: 
Closed
Production method: 
see lot description
Base: 
Trinidad molasses
product Details

Caroni Superb Light White Rum Kenneth Abbot early 1970s

The Caroni distillery is said to have been established in 1918, however there are several historical references that suggest distilling was happening there earlier in the 20th century. It became part of the Tate & Lyle firm in 1936, who used it as a base for expanding their eventually considerable sugar operations in Trinidad. Caroni was a key ingredient of the British Navy rations, where its famous high-ester 'Heavy' rums helped to make up the signature flavour. Sadly, with the decline of the Trinidadian sugar industry, Tate & Lyle sold a 51% controlling stake to the government in 1970, before it became fully nationalised in 1975. Despite being self-sufficient in molasses, the newly established Caroni (1975) Ltd continued to lose money for the next 25 years until the government tried to minimise its ownership, selling off 49% of its share, just enough to retain control. Angostura were the preferred bidders, but a dispute over the value of Caroni’s warehoused stock scuppered the deal, and Caroni was closed for good in 2003.

This was bottled in the early 1970s by Kenneth Abbot Ltd. The casks were acquired from the government controlled, yet not fully nationalised Caroni Ltd.

Important Notice

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Please note: Due to the various ages of bottles and their seals, condition of liquid is at the buyer's discretion and no claim can be lodged against failure/leakage in transit.