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Le Gus't DDL Marrons de la Liberté 2002
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Nearly everyone who tastes this blind guesses Caroni, not Guyana — that's the whole story here. This 2002 Demerara throws out rubber, tar, leather, dried fruit and a dark chocolate-espresso finish that goes on forever. A few find the 65.7% a bit sharp on the palate, but most call the alcohol beautifully woven in. One taster nailed it: "Demerara meets Caroni."
The community says- Caroni-like rubber
- Long tar finish
- Keep in mind: High ABV bites
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Yes, if you're after bold, mature, oaky rums for sipping neat.
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The look inside the bottle
How does Le Gus't DDL Marrons de la Liberté 2002 taste?
From community reviews · summarized with AI
Guyana rum that drinks like Caroni Loved almost unanimously, and famous for fooling people in blind tastings with its Caroni-like rubber and tar. Only real gripe: the high ABV stings a touch for some.
Caroni chasers and heavy-Demerara fans
Anyone put off by cask-strength heat
Style & occasion: Mature & oakySipping neat
Full aroma profile Aroma families · nose & palate · top aromas
Relative to this rum's strongest aroma family
39 of 64 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Which glass for which rum? The community guide ›
What does the community say?
64 community reviews
Rating scale & review checks
On RumX, 7 means “Good” and 8 means “Very good”.
See the full rating guideHow ratings are made and how we check them ›The website shows a selection of written reviews. The distribution also includes ratings without text. All published reviews are available in the RumX app.
36 selected written reviews
The distribution above includes all 64 ratings, including those without text.
Review by cigares
Most helpful positive review
A lively, almost overpowering initial nose of alcohol and machine shop (tar, rubber). The fruit is there too, ample and varied. At this point, you can't help but think of Caroni. Officially a Demerara in a Caroni cask, but it's more like a Caroni with a little Demerara. The palate is lively, but the alcohol is fairly well integrated. Machine shop aromas dominate the fruit, and the wood is present. The finish is long, with a slight spiciness that gives it vivacity. A very fine rum, and in the empty glass, one senses a touch of molasses and leather that finally brings to mind Guyana. Very good, but in direct comparison I prefer the Gran Torino.
Review by Pavel Ungr, RumRock
Most helpful mixed review
Vintage 2002. I rate it 6.4 out of 10, average, nothing outstanding.
Review by Tschusikowsky
Sweetness present here as well. Alcohol very well integrated. No idea what's in there, but it tastes fierce Caroni. Really good stuff.Edit: RumX Advent 1.12.22Chocolate, espresso, tar, slightly smoky, finish rubber, red and dried fruit, tingling on the tongueNice bouquet, finish lasts a long time. I taste the rum the next day still in the throat 🤤Before the resolution I thought: of this I would like a bottle...and behold 🥰
Review by Galli33
#1st dec RumXCalendar Blind tasting: Nose: Rubber, Bicylce tube, woody, toasted, varnish, leather Palate: rubber, caramel, dried fruits, roasted, woody, barrel notes, oily, licorice Finish: long, rubber, licoric, woody, barrel notes, espresso. The alcohol is integrated very well. This one is crazy, on one side it has a bit of a caroni like rubber/bicyle tube taste, but the full body is missing here, it’s … softer. This doesn’t mean it’s bad, but more accessible😏 My Prediction: T.D.L but an old one without those lovely minty notes Approx. 55% Approx. 25 years of aging
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Holy shit, this is good stuff! Dark melted chocolate couverture and strong mocha meet cooked passion fruit jam, a bit of eucalyptus and vanilla seeds plus some banned Caroni rubber notes. Super awesome!
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
#5035 07.01.2025 Enjoying some samples at home. Nose Wood, roasted, light rubber, light smoke, light caramel, spice, faint nutts, faint chocolate. Palate Oily, wood, roasted, light rubber, dried fruit, light caramel, light spicy, faint tobacco, fruits, light chocolate, faint herbs. Finish Long and warm, wood, roasted, faint smoke, light rubber, light pineapple, light chocolate, light apricot. The empty glass has light glue, some nutts and licorice.
Review by RumTaTa
Blind, Day 1 24DaysOfRum 2022 I had my mind set on Caroni and I was pretty sure too - that's how you can be wrong! The nose is quite closed. I perceive dried fruit and vanilla. Then on the palate very bulky with lots of notes that I would assign to Caroni. Heavy and oily. The finish is long and nicely reflects the impressions from the palate. A very good rum.If the alcohol was better integrated, I would rate 90+.
Review by DomM
Are we sure, this does not contain a couple of Caroni drops alongside DDL rums? 😅 Very nice and dirty - I can’t remember a similar profile from Guyana tbh.
Review by Jeremy Roger 🇫🇷
On the nose we sense depth! Wood and rubber beckon 🤤 On the palate it's powerful! Concentrated and deep, then come wood, rubber and coffee! It's delicious and concentrated! A real treat ❤ A rubber and coffee finish with savory bacon 💥 A powerful and delicious brunch in a rocks glass 🔥
Review by alex
Tasting from the Advent calendar #16 This bottle is really superb. You almost feel like you're drinking a Caroni. It's a juice of excellence. Superb long finish on the palate. Alcohol, magnificently integrated. It just slides down on its own.
Review by Alex1981
What a bomb! Dark demarara notes of leather, tobacco, liquorice paired with caronis fruity machine shop. A match made in heaven, only the high abv stings a bit but that is the only complaint you can have here.
Review by Mike H.
87 points. Same as the Cuffy this rum is extremely Caroni like. But a little more like a younger one or one that had continental ageing. I get a little more dried fruit in this one and less sweetness. The Marrons is a little more oily on the palate. Another one that would fool most in a blind tasting. Thank you again for the trade Maxime.
Review by Thunderbird
Erstklassiger Demerara! Fast schon Caroni-like! So kann der RumX-Kalender weitergehen! Hatte im Vergleich einen Caroni von Bristol&Corman Collins im Glas! Da geht der Le Gustals kalrer Sieger hervor
Review by FabiDram
Very similar to Caroni.
Review by Jakob
The Le Gus‘t Demeraras from 2002 all show a similar basic structure - to me, the profile feels like leftover stocks from the Caroni distillery have been blended with the classic Guyana rum from DDL. This results in a distinctly harmonious aroma spectrum with great wood notes, caramel, vanilla, subtle fruitiness, and the typical Heavy Trinidad rum style with rubber, tar, anise, a touch of menthol, and coffee. Complex, full-bodied, a great rum with character and edge.
Review by Tom Buteneers
Another leftover from the advent calendar. Been looking forward to this since I tasted another “Demeroni” (RX12089, also part of the advent calendar) and had an idea what this is. A lot has already been said and written about it, so I’m not going to add much and just enjoy this little something special as my 300th tasting in the app 🎆 Demerara Caroni flavors packing a delightful punch. Cheers 🥃 Would like a bottle… any offers? 😃
Review by mto75
Demerara meets Caroni! 💪 (edit)
Review by tojo
Entry into the RX calendar with a Demerara. I wouldn't have guessed it in a blind tasting. It shows many dirty notes, smoke, tar but also wood, leather and dried fruits. Rather sharp-edged in taste. ABV noticeable.
Review by TheRhumhoe
An atypical rum that will disorient more than one. The nose is extremely confusing, everything points to a Caroni with very powerful empyreumatic notes of rubber, smoke, oak, and sharp spices. Notes of vanilla, caramel, cocoa, and dried fruits balance the heaviness before the varnish coats the nostrils. It is however more concentrated and straightforward than its brother Optimum Proof. A very nice olfactory surprise. The surprise returns on the palate with again typical dirty Caroni notes. Terpenic, woody, smoky, spicy, vanilla, cocoa, and caffeinated, this rum unmistakably recalls the defunct distillery in this aromatic concentrate. Leather, dried fruits, and caramel also mingle on the palate. Warm, powerful, and slightly alcoholic, it will not leave Caroni aficionados indifferent. The very long finish continues the petroleum thread stretching over spices, licorice, leather, wood as well as dark notes of coffee and cocoa. There is a salty touch that also makes a difference by adding complexity. Although slightly more unbalanced than its cousin Optimum Proof, this bottling remains unique in its kind, incisive and generous, but unfortunately hard to find.
Review by Oliver
Caroni + Guyana = 🥰
Review by Johannes
How does Le Gust do it, to create such a good complex stuff from a 2002? Blind, I would probably say Caroni.
Review by Maxime Clr 🇫🇷
#12 Calendrier de l’avent RCP Quelle claque ! Cette bouteille mythique je n’avais jamais eu l’occasion d’y goûter. Merci à Jimmy et Pascal pour cette chance. Nez très sombre sur le goudron, le caoutchouc, le caramel. Bouche fabuleuse Caroniesque ! Fabuleux 🫶🥰
Review by Skyfly
RumX Advent calendar 2022 #1: what an awesome start to Advent! Blind, it would probably have been a Caroni; very similar also to the Gran Torino. Lots of rubber, tar, leather and dried fruits from nose to finish. Alcohol excellently integrated!
Review by HenryL
RumX Advent calendar December 1st: I wouldn't have guessed Guyana here, the Caroni influence comes through very well. Pleasantly fruity on the nose, accompanied by darker Caroni tones, rubber and fresh cocoa. On the palate the alcohol is a bit too present for me, here the Caroni is still present but gives some room to the Guyana part. The finish is a nice interplay of coffee and dark chocolate accompanied by rubber.
Review by Rodolphe
Quick tasting. Another very nice bottling, like its little buddies Cuffy and its little brother Opt. Proof. Superb and very well made. I'll taste the two versions in a 1vs1 one of these evenings. Right now, I can't say if I prefer the full proof or the opt. proof.
Review by Christian Rudt
Wenn man schon die Chance hat seltene Abfüllungen zu vergleichen dann sollte man sie zumindest manchmal auch nutzen. Daher Le Gust Full Proof (hallo RumX Kalender ☺️) vs Optimum Proof (danke Rodolphe 😉) Nase bei beiden zunächst verschlossen und relativ alkoholisch am Gaumen beim ersten rantasten hat der Optimum mehr Zugänglichkeit. Wir warten. Der full Proof bleibt sehr lange der Alkohol hinten raus auch besser integriert. Insgesamt tolle Aromatik für mich knapp am ausgezeichnet vorbei. Der Optimum allerdings für mich vorne. -->rx3024
Review by Serge
Really awesome rum! Blind tasted in the RumX Advent calendar and totally fell into the Caroni trap. Nose, palate and finish really very Caroni. Recently I also tasted the rx12089 Gran Torino, a Demerara in a “Caroni coat,” and poured myself some of that just to be sure and settled safely on Caroni for this one. Really a very cool selection for the calendar and a great rum.
Review by Roberto Bessa Ferreira
Belongs to the best Guyana Continental matured for me. And a great Caroni taste 😋 Guyanaroni at the best!
Review by Tropheus80
Great rum, that could also pass as Caroni.
Review by Vincent D
The alcohol is too present for me. Much too much for me to appreciate this rum as much as the Cuffy from the same bottler, which is one of my references. This rum is indulgent, hyper expressive, heavy, complex, sweet. But too hard for me. Confirmed impression: I would really like to taste the OP version.
Review by Benoit Mahe
It's very good but not the best Gust in my opinion.
Review by Gaylord Ho
Le gust's est un embouitelleur de Manosque. donc bien de chez nous. Un nez que je trouve assez simple, axé sur l'alcool. Au goût, un vrai régal, d'abord les fruits, plutôt discret. Puis de suite après un côté grillé qui vient balancer le sucre des fruits. Pour finir sur le boisé qui couvre tout le reste. l'alcool est présent. la finale est moyenne, et ce mélange sucre/bois donne un goût de réglisse. Chaque gorgée est différente. Un vrai bon Rhum, qui a mon avis coûterait bien plus avec un embouitelleur plus renommé.
Review by Luca
The typical peppery spices of Guyana rums are clearly recognizable. But there is much more to discover here. A sweet Caroni coat envelops everything and adds a lot to the complexity. The alcohol is very well integrated, the rum is already dangerously smooth. I like it very much overall.
Review by Arthur Moreau
Caroni without the name Caroni, the sought-after markers of rubber and hydrocarbons are present with lots of indulgence. Delicious.
Review by Adrien B
N discreet then opens on tar tobacco, burnt garage B Caroni, tobacco heavy fruit leather
Review by Buddudharma
RumX Advent calendar 01.12.2022: Mistaken for a TDL blind, as it has dirty flavor notes like Caroni, but the oily character wasn't clear enough for me. Afterwards and in the empty glass then notes of Savanna Grand Arome, from wherever. I wouldn't have guessed Guyana... Still overall a successful experiment of high quality.
This selection contains no written reviews in this rating range.
Expert reviews
3 critics scored it, averaging 8.9/10. Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum.
Expert review by Zucker und Zeste
Guyana with extremely dirty nuances. Awesome story!
Expert review by Préférence Rhum
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Expert review by Tasting Bro's
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Le Gus't DDL Marrons de la Liberté 2002 at live auctions
A bid is not a final price: the house sets the buyer's premium, shipping and any customs duty.
All live auctions ›Community shelf
33 bottles logged by 27 collectors.
Both drunk and collected.
30% opened, 5 emptied.
What did the community pay for Le Gus't DDL Marrons de la Liberté 2002?
Community paid 160–190 €.
Purchase prices reported by members, not a shop price. Avg. 177 €. Full price & collection history in RX+ ›
33 purchased · 65 tasted · 29 wishlist · as of
Details about Le Gus't DDL Marrons de la Liberté 2002
A rum from Guyana, bottled by Le Gus't, at 65,7%.
Which of the wooden stills is behind this rum? The RumX guide ›
Read on in the RumX Guide
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