Foursquare 2008

I'll do this review as a comparison between 2007 and 2008, which I think some people will appreciate. To be clear, both are excellent, and you can't go wrong with either. 2007 is a deeper, darker tasting, more charred drinking experience. There is a good kind of bitterness to this, in the same way that good coffee is bitter but smooth. I get burnt toffee notes with hints of dark cocoa and coffee, and a a medicinal quality throughout. Finally, I get highly caramelized sweetness on the back end that reminds me of burnt (practically blackened) sugar. By comparison, 2008 is brighter and fruitier. It is dessert in the form of berry compote over medium toasted creme brulee. A perception of sweetness exists throughout, but it never strikes a bass note in the same way as the 2007. As I return to it, I find hints of licorice, candied orange, cardamom, and cognac. If I did not know that this was only aged in ex bourbon casks, I would swear to a brandy influence of some type. Neither is better than the other. Each brings something unique to the table. At the same time, the shared pedigree of excellence is undeniable.

Pours like a viscous Scotch but with a deep dark amber hue that makes you think of rich mahogany and leather bound books. The smell wafts from the glass as you begin the descent of your nose. Sticky pineapple upside down cake, clove, cinnamon, vanilla icing, and leather all jump into your senses and warm your soul. The richness and depth of the nose make you hesitant to sip as you just want to swirl and admire a bit longer. The taste is full, rich and hits everywhere on the palate. It does not dance it lays down like a warm blanket of molasses, cocoa, coconut, and rich vanilla bean. As you sit with it the savory notes burrow in with that leather note from the nose along with tobacco and dark chocolate. The final chapter does not disappoint as the finish hangs like a dense cloud from a fancy pipe. That pineapple note pokes through the aforementioned savory notes and reminds you this is rum and surprisingly not a top shelf Scotch. Bravo. If you ever see Foursquare Rum grab it.

2007 Foursquare is one of the finest rums that I have tried. I have heard 2008 is better, but I hate hype so let's see how it lives up. The aroma here isn't all that enticing. It is heavy on the alcohol as you might expect at 60%. Maybe a hint of sweetness on the edge, but hard to get passed the fumes. Hopefully it goes down more smoothly. First sip is much better than the nose. There is a LOT going on here. There is almost a peanut brittle sweetness on the front end as the sugar washes over you tongue and the 120 proof heat rolls in. The finish is a pretty significant burn. Overall this isn't quite as nice as 2007. That dram sold me on Foursquare, but this 2008 edition may have reached too far on the punch. It is still a damn fine rum that stands far apart from most of the stuff on the local store shelf. Just falls short of the hype in my book.

Foursquare Mark XIII 2008 Exceptional Cask Selection Single Blended Rum is a bold, Cask Strength, Blended Rum by Foursquare Distillery in Four Roads, Saint Philip, Barbados consisting of rums from both the Artisanal Double-Retort Pot & Traditional Twin Column Coffey Still. All aged 12 years in 1st, 2nd & 3rd fill Ex-Bourbon barrels. Maturation occurring in open walled warehouses in Barbados, taking the full impact of the unique tropical climate; bottled at 60% ABV. It has an aromatic birth with notes of vanilla, oak spice, marzipan & tobacco leaves; while a bold & spicy life adds notes of rich wood, leather, tobacco, papaya, apricot, banana & a hint of chocolate; that led to a long & warming death with hints of pepper & toasted oak. September / October 2020

This nose is heaven. Molasses, bourbon, caramelized pineapple and banana, smoky charred oak, vanilla pudding, all relentless. Given the proof, this shouldn't be shocking but what is a little shocking is the lack of ethanol apparent on the nose. Beautiful stuff. This is definitely a bourbon lovers rum. I usually can't say that a nose as beautiful as this one transfers so seamlessly from nose to palate but this one does. All the beautiful, potent aromas from the nose follow through to the palate so well. It is warm, viscous, and mouth coating, with just enough burn on the end to balance the sweetness. Finish is actually quite dry with oak and tons of brown sugar and spicy cinnamon. Wow Amazing in all aspects

Let me start off by saying I drink whiskey 99% of the time. Poured a sample I had of the 2008 Foursquare last night and glad I did!! Foursquare is the perfect crossover from whiskey to rum, that any barrel aged fan cannot help but to enjoy This rum hits all the high points a whiskey drinker looks for - even though the distillate is different than Bourbon per say (Minimum 51% Corn, along with other grains) Rum being molasses then aging in Ex Bourbon barrels derives a phenomenal well rounded spirit from nose to pallet to finish = Truly enjoyable and directly comparable to Bourbon. Cheers