CARONI TRINIDAD 23 ans 1996 D "Sarge" Employees 2nd Rel. One of 953 bottles

A Caroni distilled in 1996 and bottled at cask strength in 2019 by Velier for the Employees range dedicated to the distillery’s staff—in this case David Charran, who worked at the site for 28 years. Four casks were selected and blended to produce 953 bottles. Velier was founded in Genoa by Casimir Chaix in 1947. It was originally a small, family-run business specializing in the import and distribution of wine and spirits. Luca Gargano, a former representative for Saint James and serious rum collector and enthusiast, bought the business in 1986 and began bottling whisky first in 1992 and then rum in 1996. His Caroni bottlings have become truly legendary. In 2005, he bought several casks after visiting Trinidad with Fredi Marcarini to take photos the year before. Rums selected by Velier are only ever aged in a tropical climate, which explains both their concentration and the high angels’ share. They are generally bottled at cask strength or just below.