Aroma visualization from community tastings
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985
Tar, dark chocolate and old workshop smells — diesel, rubber, glue — sit next to baked apple, dried figs and cherry in this 1985 Velier Caroni. Nose gets nearly everyone: floral, fruity, leathery, "so oily, so fresh." The palate turns dirtier and drier, a touch thinner and more bitter than the aroma promises. Classic Trinidad heavy rum for people already deep into the style.
The community says- Incredible nose
- Tar and fruit
- Long complex finish
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The look inside the bottle
How does Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985 taste?
Aggregated from 44 community reviews.
Tarry, fruity old Caroni with a huge nose Loved almost across the board — an intense, complex Caroni with a stunning nose. A few felt the palate runs thinner, drier and more bitter than the aroma, but that's nitpicking at a high level.
Caroni fans who love tarry, dirty, fruit-laced heavy rum
Newcomers or anyone wanting a soft, sweet sipper
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
Which glass for which rum? The community guide →
25 of 44 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
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How is Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985 rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 9.1 sits in the “Excellent” band. 100% 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?
100% rate it 8 or higher. 26 selected write-ups from 44 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
Review by Jakob
Epic Velier Caroni Tasting 2023: What a nose! In a blind comparison with the other 85s, the complex aromatic structure also convinces on the palate, a truly impressive release. Excellent.
Review by cigares
Tasting of Caronis Velier 1985. A lively, powerful nose, a mechanical workshop with diesel and tar. Lots of fruit that is not overpowered by empyreumatic notes. Baked apples and a hint of pastry. An absolutely splendid nose! Massive fruit first, then mechanical workshop notes, then vegetal notes. An incredibly complex palate that goes through several stages. Then another pastry side, Foursquare. The finish is long, complex and elegant. The aromas disappear slowly and harmoniously. Red fruits (black cherries and blackberries) make their appearance. A hint of smoke also appears in the empty glass. A rum of remarkable complexity and depth, and by far the best of the Caronis 1985 series.
Review by Joachim Guger
Something different on the Caroni front for a change! In the nose first very nutty. Then fruit, at the end very floral (lavender!). The typical dirtyness is very, very restrained. Everything at the highest level. In the mouth then very woody, yet warm, full and good. Usual level, drops a bit in the mouth. Edit: In addition to the extreme fruitiness workshop odors, which I know in this form of no other Caroni.
Review by Johannes
Epic Velier Caroni Tasting: complex, menthol, already clearly alcohol, but compared to the others an excellent overall package.
Review by Maxence
Excellent "Old School" Caroni ! Nose is absolutely flawless : complex, expressive and perfectly balanced. Palate is slightly less complex and a bit dryer than the nose but still very high quality. This one was a bit disapointing right after opening the sample but, few months of oxydation later, it is magnificent ! 🥰
Review by Oliver
Very nice, toasty, dark nose. Very good overall package!
Review by TheRhumhoe
A Caroni of the highest order, with a highly sophisticated olfactory profile. Tar and rubber mingle with wood and oak, followed by spicy notes, then toffee, toffee and hazelnut to round things out. Fruits, notably exotic and cherry, follow after aeration. On the palate, the rum is typical of the distillery, powerful, intense and oily, with perceptible spicy notes (licorice, aniseed), an elegant woodiness and aromas of tar and burnt rubber. Dark chocolate, toffee and caramel round out the palate, with a light fruity touch. The finish is very long and continues on the dark, burnt and spicy profile. A hint of menthol makes itself felt. A very good representative of the late distillery.
Review by Timo Groeger
Nice 40 euros here in a glass, but whatever? ;) One of the best Caronis I've ever had. Awesome tarry and medicinal, super tasty stuff. Thanks for nothing, congrats you good-for-nothing :) Werder, awesome team
Review by DutchRumPirate
I tasted this Caroni with a friend on a special occasion. A wonderful aroma on the nose: floral, fruity, and leather. I can keep sniffing it. It's a soft yet complex aroma. Sweet floral notes. These notes also emerge on the palate: floral and leather, but the barrel is also prominent. A wonderfully long finish, fruity with leather/tar and woody notes. I'm absolutely in love with this. A winner!
Review by Skyfly
Grandioser 1985er HTR - in der nAse noch sehr zurückhaltende dreckige Aromen, dafür mehr Frucht und Haselnuss. Im Gaumen dann intensive Teer- und Gummiaromen, begleitet von dunklen Aromen, Karamell und Menthol. Eine verrückte Kombi die erstaunlich gut funktioniert. Im Abgang wieder dunkle Aromen und angenehmes Menthol.
Review by Martin Augustin
Leicht dreckige Noten in der Nase, ergänzt um viel Nuss und etwas Vanille. Sehr gefällig. Absolut geiler Geschmack. Dreckige Caroni Noten, ergänzt um Lakritze, Vanille, Schokolade, Karamell und Zitrusfrüchte. Super langer und warmer Abgang. Ein leicht dreckiger und super komplexer Caroni. Wow!
Review by LukaŽiga
9,1:On the nose, industrial with rubber and tar, bicycle tube, some menthol, toasted wood notes like caramel, dark chocolate, toffee, hazelnuts, oaky, some fermented hints with creamy, buttery tones, citrus, tropical, peaches, cherry, dark molasses with licorice, bump into our nosetrils. On aeration, black berry, dried apricots arise, confectionery with pastry, spicy allspice, meaty touch and coffee. 8,9:On the palate, the attack is intense, industrial with rubber and tar, petrol and menthol hints, metallic patina, fruity with peaches, citrus and tropical fruits, fermented creamy tones pop up, the oak is toasted with caramel, toffee, roasted nuts, leather, dark chocolate, spicy with clove, vanilla, tannic, dry, molasses is floral. 9,1:The finish is long, dry&tannic, industrial with rubber and tar, menthol, oak is toasted with caramel, dark chocolate, coffee, pastry, crème brûlée, burnt, spicy, smoky, molasses is dark with licorice, black tea, flowery and fruits are dried, citrus and tropical..
Review by Pavel Spacek
... Caroni je destilerie z Trinidadu, produkujici v dobe sve nejvetsi slavy rum, ktery se pridaval v pomeru 1:10 do namornickeho blendu. Byl totiz moc vyrazny a divny nez aby byl prijemny na jazyku. V roce 2000 destilerka skoncila s produkci a byla uzavrena. Az v roce 2010 se objevili degustatori, kteri si rum oblibili prave pro jeho specialni chut. A zajem rostl. Caroni patri do kategorie rumu "you need to try before you die". Doporucuji, Caroni je opravdu unikatni rum.
Review by Serge
Great, dark nose with a delicious mix of tar, rubber, vanilla, wood, licorice, nutty roasted notes and red and tropical fruits. On the palate, there is also some spice and light coffee and a little menthol on the finish.
Review by Djehey
Piouf... Définitivement bon. Le faible abv ( pour un caroni) permet vraiment de l'apprécier pleinement ! Et il est a mon avis très complet : les arômes de garage bien sûr mais aussi un boisé torréfié, une gourmandise sur le toffee et le caramel, et un fruité en second plan. Certe du côté sombre mais normal vu l'âge. Mais il y a même ce menthol en fin de bouche qui vient équilibrer tout ça. Superbe. Mon année de naissance, et forcément une bouteille que je rêve d'avoir....
Review by zabo
What an epic evening with flight after flight that were indescribable. I'll spare myself any individual commentary on this, because sometimes I don't have the words. Many thanks to Jakob. All in all, as you can see from the ratings, they were all excellent and only differed in nuances. All top level 🤤😋
Review by Filip Šikula
Very, very insightful. The nose starts out technical. Glue, oil, grandpa's workshop. On the palate, the same thing comes through, again glue and workshop, then a little sweetness and chocolate on the beautiful finish. One of the best caronis I've ever had. Svincany caroni tasting 19.12.2024
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
Yesterday we had a great evening in my friends man-cave. Lots of laughter and wonderful rums. This one released a lot of flavours with a drop of water added.
Review by Quentin Rum
Thiner than usuel, but so classy, so oily, so fresh and fruits, lighly herbal and precious wood
Review by Christoph H.
Eine sehr schöne, runde, süße und gefällige Caroni Nase. Erinnert mich sehr an den Last, die dreckigen Aromen kommen mir hier trotzdem nochmal dominanter vor. Die Nase wird zuerst mit extrem viel süße wie Rosinen, Datteln, Karamell, Nougat und Toffee geflutet. Aber auch tropische Früchte wie Maracuja und Orangenschale sind am Start. Dann kommen die dreckigen Aromen wie Kerosin, Motoröl und Fahrradschlauch hinzu und werden immer deutlicher, je länger der Rum atmet. Der Rum hat wirklich eine krasse, aber nicht zu übertriebene Reifung hinter sich Im Gaumen ist der Rum dann sehr viel schmutziger als es die Nase vermuten lässt. Süße und Frucht gehen etwas in den Hintergrund, Holz und Bitterkeit übernehmen vermehrt das Feld. Wenn man an dieser Stelle ähnliche Gefälligkeit wie beim Last erwartet, könnte manch einer enttäuscht werden. Auch wirkt er etwas dünner und weniger ölig Ein ausgesprochen guter Caroni aus den 80er, welche ja ohnehin in guter Qualität eher selten sind. PLV technisch greift man jedoch lieber zu einem Last, damit lässt er sich mMn nämlich am besten vergleichen
Review by mto75
erstmal die extrem dunkle Farbe bestaunen, macht auf jeden Fall schonmal Eindruck :-) An der Nase zunächst eher Trockenfrüchte (getrocknete Feige), süsslich, Bohnerwachs / Möbelpolitur (erinnert fast ein wenig an alte 91er KFMs). Mit mehr Standzeit auch etwas die dreckigen Noten, leichte Frische, aber nix bissiges, alles sehr gut integriert, irgendwie in sich ruhend. Am Gaumen Werkstatt, Tannine / herb, Leder, auch hier alles super ineinander verwoben. Toller Caroni!
Review by Mentalo
Der erste 1985er Caroni den ich bislang im Glas haben durfte. Es dominieren am Anfang holzige und dreckige Noten. Im Abgang kommen fruchtige, beerige Noten stärker durch. Alles in allem ein schöner Caroni.
Review by Roman Nussbaumer
Very harmonious nose, tar and fruit, also some vanilla. Terrific to drink. Tar and dark chocolate. The highlight from my point of view is the long finish with the emergence of berry notes.
Review by Adrianv
Amazing nose! Old style Caroni. Black fruits, smoke, spicy, baked pastry, some wood, glue, bike tube, all nice&dirty. Very good rough Caroni. I did not taste 85 vintage yet but this one is fantastic.
Review by Buddudharma
Very nice Caroni, strongly reminiscent of Last due to its pronounced caramel or toffee note. Wonderful intensity and balance in the first sip, but a little too dry and bitter in the finish for a top note. But of course that's complaining on a high level, this is really great stuff!
Review by JFehr
Schokoladig, röstig, Teer und etwas Kaffee. Sehr rund. Ein Klassischer Caroni
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Expert reviews
2 critics scored it, averaging 9.2/10. Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum..
Expert review by Single Cask Rum
Read full review →
Expert review by The Dunder Hut
Caroni 85 Crosstasting, what an intense Monster, Rubber and tubing, diesel and old dried fruits in the nose, again the baked apple. Then just a lovely dirty caroni on the palate, again the baked apple that give some fresh fruit in it. also herbs like mixed herbs. and then dark chocolate to finish, the kind that gets fruity on the palate. Wow!
Live auctions
Current bids for this rum at Europe's leading auction houses.
Market value
What this bottle last achieved at auction. A research indicator, not a forecast.
Auction results 901 € – 1604 €
from 16 sales, latest 07/2026
Prices incl. buyer's premium — what a buyer pays, not what a sale nets you.
Avg. community purchase price 1020 €
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 Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985
A rum from Trinidad, bottled by Velier, at 58,8%.
Community purchases
53 bottles logged by 48 collectors.
A collector's bottle.
11% opened, 1 emptied and repurchased.
What did the community pay for Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985?
Community paid 505–2,380 €.
What members actually paid for their bottles. A typical range, not the current shop price. Full price & collection history in RX+ →
53 purchased · 46 tasted · 28 wishlist · as of
Read on in the RumX Guide
All releases in this series
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1974
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1974Heavy, tarry old Caroni at full proof
Velier Caroni Light Trinidad Rum 1982
Velier Caroni Light Trinidad Rum 1982Sweet, easy-sipping Caroni without the usual dirt
Velier Caroni Light Trinidad Rum 1982
Velier Caroni Light Trinidad Rum 1982Sherry-soaked Caroni, more raisin than tar
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1982
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1982Dry, tarry Caroni with dried fruit and diesel
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1982
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1982Tar-and-rubber Caroni, bitter finish, needs water
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1982
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1982Tarry, powerful cask-strength Caroni for collectors
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1983
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1983Soft, lighter Caroni with muted tar and funk
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1983
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1983Lighter, sweeter Caroni with tar and vanilla
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1984
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1984Tarry Caroni with a wild cola twist
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1984
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1984Tarry old Caroni, great nose, bitter oak
Velier Caroni Old Legend Trinidad Rum 1985
Velier Caroni Old Legend Trinidad Rum 1985Soft, sweet Caroni thinned by low ABV
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1985
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1985Atypical, nutty Caroni — lighter on the diesel
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985Tarry, fruity old Caroni with a huge nose
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985Round, softer Caroni with faint tar
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1985Cleaner, fruit-tea Caroni with buried 75% heat
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1988
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1988Soft, diluted Caroni light on the tar
Velier Caroni Light Trinidad Rum 1989
Velier Caroni Light Trinidad Rum 1989Lighter Caroni, stunning nose, hot on the palate
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1989
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1989Milder, cocoa-and-wood Caroni, light on the tar
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1991
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1991Fruity, softer Caroni with restrained tar
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1991
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1991Soft, fruity Caroni light on the tar
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992Dirty, fruity Caroni with an oily, long finish
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992Dirty, fruity Caroni that drinks easy at 55%
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992Deep, dirty, tar-and-menthol Caroni benchmark
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992Heavy tar-and-fruit Caroni, near flawless
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1993
Velier Caroni Blended Trinidad Rum 1993Smooth, sweet Caroni with the dirt dialed back
Velier Caroni High Proof Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994
Velier Caroni High Proof Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994Dirty, tarry Caroni, slightly softened by 52%
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994Balanced, dirty-industrial Caroni at drinkable strength
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994Dry, tarry Caroni for dedicated sippers
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994Powerful, dirty 1994 Caroni for sipping
Velier Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum 21 1996
Velier Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum 21 1996Tar, rubber and tropical fruit in balance
Velier Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum 15 HTR 1998
Velier Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum 15 HTR 1998Softer, tar-and-toffee entry-level Caroni
Velier Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum 17 HTR 1998
Velier Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum 17 HTR 1998Dirty, balanced Caroni with tar and dried fruit
Velier Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum 12 HTR 2000
Velier Caroni 100% Trinidad Rum 12 HTR 2000Fresh, dirty entry-level Caroni
Velier Caroni High Proof Trinidad Rum (EU) HTR 2000
Velier Caroni High Proof Trinidad Rum (EU) HTR 2000Dirty, oily Caroni: tar, rubber, menthol
La Maison & Velier Caroni High Proof Trinidad Rum (US) HTR 2000
La Maison & Velier Caroni High Proof Trinidad Rum (US) HTR 2000Dirty, tarry Caroni that opens up slowly
Velier Caroni Millennium Magnum HTR 2000
Velier Caroni Millennium Magnum HTR 2000Dirty, industrial Caroni with tar and menthol
Velier Caroni 30th Release Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1996
Velier Caroni 30th Release Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1996Sweet, balanced Caroni with tar and chocolate
Velier Caroni 31st Release High Proof Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1996
Velier Caroni 31st Release High Proof Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1996Oily, chocolatey Caroni, a touch soft
Velier Caroni 32nd Release Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1998
Velier Caroni 32nd Release Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1998Oily, tar-and-rubber Caroni at full proof
Velier Caroni 33th Release High Proof Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1998
Velier Caroni 33th Release High Proof Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1998Softer, fruitier, very drinkable Caroni
Velier Caroni 34th Release 100 Proof Heavy Trinidad Rum 1996
Velier Caroni 34th Release 100 Proof Heavy Trinidad Rum 1996Balanced, dirty-sweet 1996 Caroni, softened
Velier Caroni 35th Release Heavy Trinidad Rum (Trespassers) HTR 1996
Velier Caroni 35th Release Heavy Trinidad Rum (Trespassers) HTR 1996Heavy, dirty Caroni with tamed 70% ABV
Velier Caroni 36th Release Heavy Trinidad Rum Guyana Stock HTR 1994
Velier Caroni 36th Release Heavy Trinidad Rum Guyana Stock HTR 1994Dirty, tar-heavy Caroni, very woody and dry
Velier Caroni 37th Release Heavy Trinidad Rum Guyana Stock HTR 1994
Velier Caroni 37th Release Heavy Trinidad Rum Guyana Stock HTR 1994Dry, roasted Caroni with petrol and cocoa
Velier Caroni 38th Release Tasting Gang Blended Trinidad Rum 1996
Velier Caroni 38th Release Tasting Gang Blended Trinidad Rum 1996Soft, coconut-vanilla Caroni, light on funk
Velier Caroni 39th Release (The Last) Heavy Trinidad Rum 1996
Velier Caroni 39th Release (The Last) Heavy Trinidad Rum 1996Dirty, fruity Caroni many call their best ever
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Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992Dirty, fruity Caroni with an oily, long finish
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1982
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1982Dry, tarry Caroni with dried fruit and diesel
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1992Dirty, fruity Caroni that drinks easy at 55%
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994Dry, tarry Caroni for dedicated sippers
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1994Powerful, dirty 1994 Caroni for sipping
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1974
Velier Caroni Heavy Trinidad Rum HTR 1974Heavy, tarry old Caroni at full proof
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I'm Oliver, and RumX began in 2018 as a small passion project in Stuttgart, back then under the name Rum Tasting Notes.
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