CARONI 1996 64,6% VELIER MAHESH 'SONNY BLACK' BRIDGELAL - EMPLOYEES 6TH RELEASE | VSGB 10 CL

In the world of rare and vintage rums, certain releases stand out—not just for their exceptional flavor profiles but also for their historical significance and the stories behind them. The **Caroni 1996 64.6% Velier Mahesh 'Sonny Black' Bridgelal – Employees 6th Release** is one such treasure, a rum that captures the essence and history of Trinidad & Tobago's legendary Caroni Distillery. This particular bottling is not just a spirit but a piece of Caribbean heritage encapsulated in a 10 cl bottle.

**Caroni Distillery**, established in 1923, was once a beacon of Trinidad's sugarcane industry, known for producing rums with a distinctively heavy and aromatic profile. The distillery ceased operations in 2002, but its rums have continued to enthrall collectors and connoisseurs. The rum from Caroni is made from **molasses**, a byproduct of the sugar refining process, distilled in a **column still**, and is renowned for its robust flavor.

The vintage for this specific bottle is **1996**, a year acknowledged by enthusiasts as producing particularly notable Caroni expressions. What makes this release even more special is its bottling year, **2021**, marking almost a quarter-century of aging. Caroni rums are famed for their **tropical aging**, a process that occurs in the hot, humid Caribbean climate. This accelerated aging process imparts the rum with an intense depth and complexity much faster than would occur in cooler climates.

This release is part of a series dedicated to the employees of Caroni, with this specific edition named after Mahesh 'Sonny Black' Bridgelal. It's part of Velier's **Employees 6th Release**, celebrating the people who were integral to the distillery’s operations. Each bottle in this series not only honors a specific individual but also tells the story of the distillery from a personal point of view.

**Velier**, the bottler of this exceptional rum, is a name revered in fine spirit circles. Founded by Luca Gargano in Genoa in the 1940s, Velier is known for its meticulous selection of rare and aged rums. The company's practice of high-proof bottling and a staunch commitment to quality and transparency has set new standards in the rum industry. Their bottlings are often unfiltered and unadulterated, providing a pure taste of the rum's origin.

With an **alcohol strength of 64.6%**, this Caroni release is both powerful and intense. It is bottled in a **10 cl size**, ideal for serious collectors or for those wishing to savor such a unique rum in moderate quantities. The production was limited to **1038 bottles**, making each bottle a valuable addition to any collection.

Flavors typical of Caroni feature heavily smoked notes coupled with hints of tobacco, leather, and tropical fruits, layered with a caramel-like sweetness owing to the long, intensive tropical aging. The higher alcohol concentration also means that these flavors are super-concentrated, making every sip a complex and rewarding experience.

Rum enthusiasts and collectors will appreciate the rarity and rich background of the **Caroni 1996 64.6% Velier Mahesh 'Sonny Black' Bridgelal**. This rum isn’t just a drink; it’s a voyage through time and tradition, offering a taste of a bygone era of Caribbean rum-making. It stands as a fitting tribute to the legacy of both a distillery and its people, captured in a bottle by one of the most respected names in the spirit world.