Aroma visualization from community tastings
Spirit of the day T.D.L #1 Trinidad Distillers Limited 2008
Sipped neat with plenty of air time, this pours out heavy and oily: burnt sugar and caramel up front, then the "dirty" TDL side kicks in — glue, tar, old bicycle tube, hot engine oil. Underneath it all sits ripe tropical fruit (mango, papaya, passionfruit) and a cool menthol streak. Several tasters swear it reads like a Caroni blind. Give it 20 minutes.
The community says- Tropical fruit
- Dirty tar-and-rubber
- But: Needs long airing
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The look inside the bottle
How does Spirit of the day T.D.L #1 Trinidad Distillers Limited 2008 taste?
Aggregated from 62 community reviews.
Dirty, fruity Trinidad at cask strength Loved almost across the board — a fruity, dirty TDL that many mistake for Caroni. The 64.4% needs air and time; a couple find it a touch short on complexity.
Caroni and dirty-Trinidad fans who sip cask strength
Anyone wanting soft, easy rum — this is hot and funky
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
Which glass for which rum? The community guide →
28 of 62 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
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How is Spirit of the day T.D.L #1 Trinidad Distillers Limited 2008 rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 8.8 sits in the “Very good” band. 98% of tasters rate it Good or better; only 0% rate it below average. See the full rating guide →
Community voices
What does the community say?
98% rate it 8 or higher. 20 selected write-ups from 62 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
Review by Florent Apl
This TDL was recommended to me because it's apparently very similar to Caroni. On the nose, I'm greeted by a warm, spicy caramel, which quickly gives way to a flurry of other aromas. There are vegetal and medicinal notes, but not unpleasantly so. Returning to it after a short pause, I then have the dirty notes of tar and smoke typical of the style. On the first palate, the caramel appears and immediately dissipates, giving way to heavy woody and dirty notes, this time with notes of burnt rubber. There's relatively little bitterness, unlike other TDLs I've tried. On the second palate, I have caramel-soaked mango and old bicycle tire that arrive simultaneously. There's a kind of subtle black fruit in the background, almost imperceptibly. The finish is long, with leather and woody notes, but still without a strong bitterness like I've experienced with other TDLs, which I didn't like. As time passes, the leather and spice notes remain in the empty glass. In conclusion, this is an excellent rum; I think it's well worth the price. It's both complex and surprisingly warm; I highly recommend it.
Review by Basti
Begrüßt wird man hier direkt erstmal mit einer ordentlichen Ladung Klebstoff an der Nase, dazu kommen einige dreckige Noten, karamellz, Holz und Gewürze. Fruchtige Noten sind dezent vorhanden. Im Mund dann sehr viele dreckige, röstige und holzige Aromen. Das ist definitiv ein T.D.L der "dreckigen Sorte". Gefällt mir dennoch - oder gerade deswegen!? - sehr gut. Edit: Kleines TDL (Blind-) Crosstasting mit diversen Vintages: Abgeschlagen auf Platz 6: Dram Mor TDL 2007. Insgesamt flach und langweilig, eher spanischer Stil. Platz 5: FRC TDL 2002. Viel Cannabis, Bier und Hopfen. Muss man drauf stehen und Bock drauf haben. Nase gefiel mir besser als am Gaumen. Platz 4: FRC TDL 2009. Verhaltene Minze, viel Gewürze und Fasseinfluss. Platz 3: Single Cask Nation TDL 2003: Insgesamt viel Minze und Menthol, leicht floral/pflanzlich. Sehr guter 2003er TDL, nicht ganz auf dem Niveau des Ricci im Quervergleich. Platz 2: Spiritori TDL 2008. Mit Abstand der dreckigste TDL im Tasting. Richtig gutes PLV! Platz 1: Ricci TDL 2003: Minze, Früchte und schön intensiv und komplex.
Review by lukasdrinkinghabits
In my TDL 2008 crosstasting, I have the Swell, the Vagabond and the Spiritori in my glass at the same time. The rums are so similar that the round tires me a little. The Spiritori is the rum from this round with the most expressive and fruity nose, the typical spices (ginger and allspice) are there, but more restrained, but there is a stronger caramel side. The fruit is also more pronounced in the mouth than in the other two, but with a burnt profile and slightly better alcohol integration. The mango is more present, the hint of cherry from the swell is missing. The menthol burns more strongly in the finish than in the other two, but the freshness and fruit last longer. I could never tell the three apart blind, which is why they all get the same rating. Overall, the three rums are pretty much on a par with the well-known 2009s.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Richtig toller und extrem fruchtiger TDL, wahrscheinlich auch der beste 2008er bis dato?! Selten so viel tropische Früchte, insbesondere Passionsfrucht, Guave und Papaya in einem Rum erlebt. Eine schöne Säure wie bei frischer Maracuja trifft auf dunkle Schokolade, etwas Menthol-Minze und Schwarztee für Eistee. Der Alkohol ist ziemlich gut integriert und der Abgang mittel-lang und sehr schwer, ölig und tannin-betont. Und preislich auch wirklich mehr als fair! Für mich bis dato der beste der etwas "jüngeren" TDLs. Hätte ich gerne ne Flasche von genommen.
Review by Julien Ries
Ce rhum présente une jolie couleur acajou et je l'ai laissé une bonne demi-heure dans le ventre avant la dégustation. Le nez est très expressif sur le fruits exotiques. Il y a de la pêche, un peu de caoutchouc, un peu de colle mais différente de celle d'un Jamaïcain. Un soupçon de cuir mais celui d'une voiture neuve. Il y a aussi des herbes fraîchement coupées mélangées avec de l'huile de garage. Un second nez amène des fragrances de pommes cuites au four. Je dois avouer que je n'ai jamais eu un rhum aussi exotique sous les narines. On sent qu'il y a des watts qui nous attendent, mais rien d'irritant non plus. Le profil olfactif est lourd et huileux. Très éloigné des TDL que j'ai pu goûter jusqu'aujourd'hui. Un boisé marqué remplit le nez au bout d'un moment. L'attaque en bouche est vive et chaleureuse. Fini le côté fruité, on est sur du sale. Ça ne peut pas plaire à tout le monde. Surtout à quelqu'un habitué au conventionnel d'un rhum martiniquais. L'alcool est très fort en bouche, mais cela vient surtout de l'absence de fruité et un côté très pimenté qui remplit le palais, ainsi que la sensation qu'on avale une bonne rasade d'essence et d'huile de moteur. J'ai bien conscience que ça ne donne pas envie comme description, mais ça reste étonnamment pas du tout désagréable. Le cuir est encore plus présent. Le fond de bouche prend un fort boisé, mais plutôt cagette humide que chêne délicat. La fin de bouche prend des notes plus rôtie avec un soupçon de réglisse mentholée. La finale est longue, avec un retour fruité de pêches en sirops et du chêne vernis.
Review by L'Expé RHIUM
Un TDL donné vu le prix et la qualité qu'il possède ! un bon 2008. Nez : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Caramel brûlé, fumé, carbonisé, fruits noirs (cassis), quelques fruits rouges et tropicaux (mangue, noix de coco). Agrumes (orange sanguine). Cannelle et clou de girofle, vanillé. Update le 15/11/2024, après 4 jours, le rhum s'est oxygéné et au nez, les fruits rouges (fraise et caissis) et la pomme ressortent très bien ! un délice le nez ! Bouche : ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Caramel, fruits noirs et fruits rouge. Beaucoup de noix de coco (fût de Bourbon). Maracuja. Metallique et fumé, piment et poivre, café, du Moka. Très boisé et poussiéreux (astringent et asséchant). Finale : ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Bonne longueur ! sombre, chocolat noir, boisé, noix de coco (chêne blanc américain, Bourbon), sucre brûlé, caramélisé. Asséchant (poussière de bois).
Review by Vincent D
Very spicy first nose. There's also a hint of peachy white fruit, but above all, a pastry side with a delicious caramel. On the palate, the 64% is magnificently integrated. The profile combines leather, wood and dirty notes reminiscent of another Trinidad distillery. It's really very good, because it's dark, but also greedy. Coffee, nutmeg, chili pepper, it's complex and evolving. The finish is greedy and long. Superb.
Review by Jakob
Still somewhat inaccessible on the nose due to the rather brute mixture of glue, spices and the typical minty TDL profile of the post-2000s era. On the palate, the picture changes for the better, of course the distillate remains demanding due to the aromatic power, but becomes much more pleasant to drink. Not on a par with the best TDLs with a minty touch, it lacks the final harmony, but in view of the price point it is a more than recommendable bottling.
Review by TheJackDrop
All the bells and whistles! At a low price :) Nose: leather, smoke, spices at first, then a hint of fruit. Mango, papaya, apricot. Finally, intense dark chocolate and dusty wood. Taste: caramel, wood, very ripe fruit galore, slight chlorophyll or menthol, some spices in higher doses. Slight astringency. Very well-integrated alcohol. Finish: caramel, light spices, yellow fruit? And a hint of menthol.
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
#5041 11.01.2025 Enjoying a few samples at home. Nose Medium intense, wood, light roasted, light rubber, light glue, leather, banana, spice, faint chocolate. Palate Oily, balanced, wood, light glue, varnish, light rubber, banana, spice, faint caramel, light chocolate, cardamom. Finish Long, balanced, round, light leather, wood, light roasted, fruits, cardamom. The empty glass has Apple, light chocolate, spice, coconut and light polish.
Review by Vidaa Wz
UFO alert Smoky notes are initially perceptible, followed by burnt sugar and a few hints of fruit. The whole is rather heavy, which is not unpleasant, On the palate, the dirty side dominates over the fruit: garage, inner tube, petrol on a warm palate all the same, Some yellow fruits appear in second place: papaya guava? I really like this carony touch.
Review by Galli33
WoW🤤😛😮💨! Eine gewaltige Nase die an einen fruchtigen Caroni erinnert! Am Gaumen kommt dann immer mehr die klassische TDL Minze hervor. Hier gesellen sich Trockenpflaume, Mango und starke Mocha Noten dazu. Das Finish ist trocken, vanillig und fruchtig. Wobei hier die Minze die Überhand nimmt und extrem lange im Mund bleibt. Der Alkohol ist extrem gut eingebunden. Weiter so Spiritori 👍🏻👊🏻💪🏻Merci!
Review by Jacques etdom
Barely poured, a strange note of ether, which fortunately passed very quickly. Then yellow fruit and a nice smoke screen. Smells like a good heavy tdl. On the palate, it's top-notch with the fruit, the omnipresent smoke, without it overpowering the other markers. Also a dirty edge and a bit of rubber. Nice, long finish. + 0.3 points for top value for money.
Review by alex
Superb discovery, I didn't know this bottler and for a first 🤩🤩 Blindly I thought a caroni. But it's nothing of the sort. This TDL is perfect for my taste, with eucalyptus present but very discreet compared to usual. Beautiful notes of fruit, caramel, leather and spices and a lovely explosion on the palate 😍😍 More than honorable length, very very good juice 🤩😍
Review by Dr.Django
Das müsste mein zweiter T.D.L 2008 sein. Der erste von Vagabond ist absolute Klasse! Die Messlatte ist also ziemlich hoch. Wow, der ist super. Was für ein Vollmundiger Antritt, süße Früchte, insbesondere Dunkle, überfallen einen quasi. Dazu eine für Trinidad bekannte Dreckigkeit. Der Abgang ist lang und der Alkohol ist top integriert. Ein toller Rum. Danke für sas Sample @Thedunderhut
Review by Chrischi78
Die Nase bietet Leder, Rauch und Gewürze, dann Mango, Papaya, Aprikose, dunkle Schokolade und staubiges Holz. Am Gaumen Karamell, Holz, reife Früchte, Menthol, Gewürze und leichte Adstringenz. Der Alkohol ist gut integriert. Der Abgang bringt Karamell, Gewürze, gelbe Früchte und einen Hauch Menthol. Dabei eine ordentliche Spur dreckig, wie ein Caroni. Was für ein toller Rum!!!
Review by Nicolas Pantaloni
Un nez puissant complexe qui laisse à penser pour la part à du chocolat du caramel mais avec ce côté caoutchouc des caroni! On a également du fumé et un peu de menthol. En bouche le cuir le fumé qui laisse rapidement place à un très joli fruité . Le final est long et frais ! Une excellente bouteille et à ce prix c’est parfait !
Review by F.L.O.
Honestly, who the hell brought the flavor "bicycle tube" into play. Is that a new inner tube, used, what size? Down-to-earth TDL...but you definitely have to let it stand for 20 minutes otherwise the alcohol will overwhelm you. Herbal, roasted, wood, simply delicious. But still a little too "spicy"....
Review by Serge
Beautiful TDL with a fruity, caramel profile (mango, roasted apple and camelina) on the nose, but with a slightly dirty note behind the spices. This then emerges more clearly on the palate with petrol and rubber - but still very discreetly behind the beautifully fruity profile. I like it.
Review by zabo
From the first impression a very successful bottling, great cask selection. It has everything you would expect from the 2008/2009 vintage. From memory, however, I liked the T.D.L from the Bottle Shop a little better. But a comparison is still pending.
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Market value
Avg. community purchase price 94 €
What members paid for this bottle, self-reported. Not a market value — the purchases are over three years old at the median and unverified.
Details about Spirit of the day T.D.L #1 Trinidad Distillers Limited 2008
A Column Still Rum from Trinidad, bottled by Spirit of the day, at 64,4%.
Community purchases
71 bottles logged by 51 collectors.
A drinker & collector.
32% opened, 11 emptied and repurchased.
What did the community pay for Spirit of the day T.D.L #1 Trinidad Distillers Limited 2008?
Community paid 85–120 €.
What members actually paid for their bottles. A typical range, not the current shop price. Full price & collection history in RX+ →
71 purchased · 63 tasted · 44 wishlist · as of
Read on in the RumX Guide
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