Caroni 1998 20 Year Cask Strength Trinidad Rum - Kill Devil (Hunter Laing)

I typically save a drink for Friday or Saturday evenings... but one feels necessary while observing these Democratic debates. As brilliant as these individuals on stage are, they appear too amiable to confront our current leader. It's akin to wrestling a pig in the muck, with the pig relishing the encounter. So this sample, acquired from an order through TWE, is a genuine rum for whiskey enthusiasts. I don't usually favor rum; most seem like consuming a sugar cube while anticipating dental issues and type 2 diabetes. However, this is different. It possesses very little sweetness. Instead, you encounter a grassy, herbal taste, with an almost gritty engine oil characteristic on the backend. The lengthy finish brings hazelnuts and cocoa. The closest comparison I can draw is to a rum-finished Springbank. If you appreciate Springbank, you would likely enjoy this. The sole drawback: I doubt my 3 cl pour will last through the entire debate.

Following a friend's suggestion, I sampled this from a retailer. They've captured the essence well. It's a very pleasing rum. Initially, the profile seemed similar to a bourbon I dislike, but it evolved nicely as I drank more. It's still not a bottle I'd purchase for myself, as it remains a bit too sweet for my preference.