Aroma visualization from community tastings
Thompson Bros. Caroni HTR 1998
Surprise here: this Caroni comes in lighter and more polite than the fire-breathing Velier bottlings people expect. The classic markers are all present — rubber, tar, vanilla, dark chocolate — but softer, easier to sip. Several tasters found it a touch metallic and short on depth; a few called it one of the dirtier '98s once it opened up. Wood takes charge on the palate.
The community says- Classic Caroni markers
- Long dry finish
- But: Lacks depth
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The look inside the bottle
How does Thompson Bros. Caroni HTR 1998 taste?
Aggregated from 31 community reviews.
Softer, tamer Caroni with classic rubber and tar Well-made and easy-drinking for a Caroni, with the usual rubber and tar dialed back. Most enjoyed it, though several felt it lacks the intensity and depth of top vintage bottlings.
Caroni fans who want a gentler, more sippable take
Anyone chasing the heavy, dirty industrial Caroni punch
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
Which glass for which rum? The community guide →
15 of 31 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
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How is Thompson Bros. Caroni HTR 1998 rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 8.5 sits in the “Very good” 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?
94% rate it 8 or higher. 12 selected write-ups from 31 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
Review by LukaŽiga
Most helpful positive review
8,7:On the nose, tar, polish and rubber, some menthol, roasted wood notes with dark chocolate, caramel, roasted nuts, the presence of oak is obvious, spicy with allspice, cherries, pineapple, dried fruits and lemon, bump into our nosetrils. On aeration, fruitiness grows stronger with yellow fruits, orange and berries, the molasses is slightly vegetal. 8,6:On the palate, the attack is typical with roasted wood notes like roasted nuts, butterscotch, burnt sugar, some confectionery, soicy vanilla, industrial with rubber, bicycle tube, some menthol, slightly metallic, fruity with lemon, dried apricots and figs.The molasses is herbaceous, dark with licorice, on oxidation, strong roastedness brings smoky touch, mocha and dark chocolate. 8,4:The finish is long, dry&tannic, dirty, industrial, fruity and creamy with various roasted wood notes, the barrel impact is strong..
Review by Henry Davies
Most helpful mixed review
It does not have the classic firey Caroni profile from the velier tropical aged releases. A much more approachable rum and if that is better or worse will be in the views of the drinker. A rather elegant nose with a strong vanilla vein, some caramel and the faintest hint of rubber (maybe I was looking for it). The mouth is fairly restrained, strong mouthwash and menthol notes, with green apple and spearmint, alongside some spicy barrel notes. The finish brings bicycle tubes and a warm nutty finish that goes on for some time. It’s a good rum, a bit unusual to be honest and not a typical Caroni
Review by Oliver
Quite approachable nose, with lots of vanilla and caramel added to the typical dirty notes. The palate adds some smoke and coffee.
Review by DomM
One of the more dirty 98 expressions. Dirt, Espresso with hints of red fruits.
Review by Vincent D
A very smooth, velvety profile on this rum with vanilla and caramel, chocolate and sweet fruit. I thought of Velier Royal Navy batch 1 in a light, fruity version. It's very pleasant. It makes you want to try it. On the palate, the impression is very different. The barrel makes an appearance. The vanilla is still there. Smokiness, chocolate. And a strange metallic taste. Not unpleasant. But I expected something else from the nose. Rather long finish, with a heavy bitterness. It's good because it's a very particular profile. But I'm still a bit disappointed as I find it lacks depth overall. It would have been a killer if it had been a bit more peachy. Edit: metallic note present, which bothers me, but otherwise super pleasant. A rather smooth HTR despite its dark side.
Review by Thunderbird
A well made rum, but for a good Caroni lacks intensity! I miss the typical notes!
Review by cigares
First RumX meeting. Un nez un peu en retrait mais avec les marqueurs Caroni de 1998, atelier mécanique, bois de chêne et douceur. Un nez tout en largeur mais auquel il manque un peu d’intensité et de profondeur pour égaler les meilleurs. L’entrée de bouche est légèrement acqueuse malgré l’ABV plutôt haut. Mais tout de suite une belle montée en puissance. Fruits, douceur et atelier mécanique à égalité. Chocolat noir, vanille, fumée et fût de chêne. La finale est longue, très longue, toujours avec cet équilibre bois fumé, atelier mécanique et douceur vanillée. Un très beau rhum auquel il manque un peu d’expression et de puissance aromatique.
Review by Alex1981
//update: after some time in the bottle getting more intense and heavier, dirtier notes. Rated up a bit. Light Caroni without the typical heavy industrial notes. Surprisingly fruity nose, mixed with some tarnish, spices & vanilla notes. On the palate the fruits take a backseat and the wood takes control. Unfortunately not enough flavors to counter this and stays a weaker Caroni.
Review by mto75
solider 98er Caroni.
Review by zabo
Also a very pleasing Caroni. Not quite as dirty, easier to enjoy. Edit: re-tasted, but it remains an entertaining Caroni. Not quite as round. Corrected downward
Review by Christian Rudt
Schön zugänglich in der Nase am Gaumen dann der schöne caroniaufschlag. Ordentlich Gummi im Geschmack, der aber nicht so dreckig daherkommt wie andernorts. Schön zu sippen.
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.
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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 245 € – 268 €
from 3 sales, latest 07/2026
Prices incl. buyer's premium — what a buyer pays, not what a sale nets you.
Avg. community purchase price 279 €
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 Thompson Bros. Caroni HTR 1998
A Column Still Rum from Trinidad, bottled by Thompson Bros., at 59,2%.
Community purchases
19 bottles logged by 16 collectors.
A collector's bottle.
5% opened, 1 emptied and repurchased.
What did the community pay for Thompson Bros. Caroni HTR 1998?
Community paid 225–359 €.
What members actually paid for their bottles. A typical range, not the current shop price. Full price & collection history in RX+ →
19 purchased · 32 tasted · 4 wishlist · as of
Read on in the RumX Guide
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