Foursquare 12 Year Old (That Boutique-y Rum Company) 

I selected this assuming it was a distillery I had not encountered, but it was. It is from the R. L. Seale company. Numerous Foursquare variations are available and they consistently get top marks. They are apparently often called the 'Pappy Van Winkle' of the rum world. The 10-year R. L. Seale costs under $50 and at 4.25, it ranks among my all-time favorite rums, especially considering I tasted it after my rum enthusiasm waned, a period when I had nearly lost all fondness for the spirit. Only one rum scored higher, and that was during my earlier phase of 'I adore sweet trash,' so excluding that, this rum would be superior now. It's a blend of pot and column distillation with remarkable depth, impact, and ideal sweetness. I've observed Cadenhead versions aged in former Kilkerran casks, of all things! This is the most mature rum that was sent to European Rum Brokers for further aging. This specific combination of pot and column distilled rum was matured for 11 years in Barbados before being transported to Europe. That Boutique-y Rum Company simply transferred this rum into an ex-bourbon barrel in 2017 for an additional year of maturation. The rum has been aged entirely in former bourbon barrels. MoM's notes state... "a bitter taste of coffee beans, walnuts and spiced fruit, with treacle trickling through tanned leather and a faint hint of camphor creating an intriguing background. The finish is a Bourbon-like vanilla sweetness that lingers for what feels like an eternity" They've done an excellent job of capturing my experience with this one. It received a Trophy in the Aged Rum category at the 2016 International Spirits Challenge. They were also recognized as rum producer of the year. Established in 1926, R L Seale & Company Limited is a fourth-generation, family-run Barbadian enterprise, with its primary operation, Foursquare Distillery, being one of the world's few remaining independent rum producers. Wow, this company is making me rediscover my love for rum. If you find a bottling at a fair price, verify its positive reviews and buy it. This is a dram for thoughtful enjoyment. I fully anticipated taking a few sips and discarding it, but an hour later, I'm still savoring it. Rated 4.25, but could easily reach 4.5.