CARONI GUYANA 23 YO 1996 Tasting Gang

rich, complex. From orange zest to diesel, dried fig to cashew nut, heady florals (lily, tuberose) to exotic fruits (mango, guava, persimmon) and notes of tarmac and flambéed banana, the initial nose boasts incredible depth. Allowed to breathe, cane sugar, molasses and maple syrup spread across the aromatic palette. From this point on, the medicinal character (camphor, iodine tincture) becomes continually more powerful.

unctuous and concentrated. The very beautifully vegetal (sugar cane, straw, bulrush) attack faithfully reproduces the hydrocarbon notes for which Caroni is so renowned. The very aromatic (gladiolus, geranium) mid-palate is incredibly delicate. Wild peach, lime blossom honey, fresh fig and juicy oranges bring the mouthfeel lots of freshness. Dark chocolate and the flavours of a slightly sweet Havana cigar then arrive in a grande finale.

long, softly tannic. The very rich (rum baba, sweet chestnut cake) start of the finish creates a united front with the end of the palate. Characterized by notes of hydrocarbon (sleet, petrol), with time it becomes increasingly spicy (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg). Staying close to the sugar cane, the retro-nasal olfaction is earthy and saline. Revealing notes of apricot, the empty glass also brings hot tar and smoked meat.