Foursquare 2009

Rating: 19/23 Nose: Delightful! Rich and woody with musty dust and a hint of tobacco. Touches of maple and caramel. Some tartness from the tannins. It possesses solid complexity and a great sense of indulgence. Perhaps a touch too much tannin. Palate: Rich with abundant wood and those tart tannins. Like firewood that has just begun to burn. Flavors of baking spices. Bold caramel. Occasional hints of savory mustard and faint cherry notes. The sweetness and richness, combined with the tart and bitter tannins, harmonize well. It could benefit from a bit more aging to mellow the bite, but it's not overly harsh. Finish: Sweet and smooth with mellow wood notes. Not highly complex, but pleasant and relaxed, yet still somewhat decadent. - Conclusion - A superb dram. It bears resemblance to Foursquare Détente (18/23), but is more robust and slightly funkier. Also, a bit more tannic. I believe this might be slightly superior, but not a significant improvement. My bottle of Balcones True Blue Cask Strength (a Total Wine pick) (19/23) is funkier and lighter than this, but also more intriguing, with an appealing corn sweetness. The two are quite similar in quality, though I'm leaning towards this one. I'm assigning a score of 19 or 20. As a secondary check, this is clearly better than Privateer Navy Yard (17/23), though not dramatically so. Revisiting this, it's quite bitter and tannic, but exhibits lovely polished wood flavor and a hint of chocolate. It's more tannic (astringent) than Foursquare ECS 2007 (18/23), but less intense. I believe I prefer this, but not as strongly as before. The enhanced polished wood here is appealing. I do see a valid comparison in quality with Foursquare Détente. The Détente is certainly more approachable, but this is more mature with decadent polished wood (and also excessive tannin). Comparing this again with the True Blue, I find it not quite as good. It falls somewhere between that and the Foursquare 2007, so an 18 or 19. I'm settling on a 19. Thanks to a friend for the sample!

An outstanding expression from the cask series. Contrasting with the Rolling Fork rum from the same maker, which was similarly matured in former bourbon barrels but for 3 years less, this one presents a markedly deeper hue. At least 2-3 shades more intense. A pleasant, substantial amber color. It also boasts an extra 6% alcohol by volume and carried a higher price tag by $25. Was the premium justified? Its aroma is more potent, with amplified fruit notes. Hints of cola, wood, sassafras, raspberry, flan, marzipan, and barbecued peaches emerge. It's a distinctly different character. With aeration, a touch of cedar even appears. To be candid, the Rolling Fork seemed like Doorly’s 12 plus rye. This expression is… unique. It genuinely brings to mind something like an EH Taylor barrel proof (around 2016, perhaps). Amazing. That sensation. It was like a forceful impact, but a cushioned one, not a direct blow. Nothing is damaged, yet there's an almost numbing sensation. And the aftertaste continues to linger. Incredible. Let's reassess. It feels dense and substantial without being slick. Prominent cedar and wood notes give way to a significant presence of minerals, molasses, caramelized sugars, and grilled tropical fruits. It approaches a slightly solvent-like funk but stops short. Oh my, truly remarkable. Please allow me a moment. I plan to acquire one or two more bottles of this. Absolutely brilliant. While I considered the Rolling Fork a success, this reaches championship status for me. The finish persists. A flicker of roasted nuts. A hint of pineapple. A generous serving of caramel cake topped with confectioners' sugar and a whisper of nutmeg. I'll state it, and might later second-guess myself, but this is my ultimate rum. Honestly, if George T Stagg and this spirit were readily available in unlimited quantities, I would happily exchange one for the other. This resonates deeply with me – it might not for everyone, but it offered a new understanding.

The final Foursquare in my collection is the 2009 vintage, aged 12 years in used bourbon barrels and bottled at 60% ABV. The aroma is robust and decadent, beginning with candied mangoes, butterscotch custard, and premium leather, followed by a subtle grassy undertone, dark chocolate-dipped dried pineapple, and roasted macadamia nuts. Next come bananas foster, peach preserves, and cooked cherries, leading into notes of ginger, cloves, star anise, and varnished wood, with a strong alcohol presence. The palate offers a medium to full body, starting with candied mangoes, pineapple nectar, butterscotch custard, and premium leather. A moderate spicy bitterness and tartness then emerge, gradually subsiding into hints of decaying leaves, spiced chocolate, and roasted coconut. This is followed by bananas foster, peach preserves, and cherry tart, transitioning to ginger, cloves, star anise, and varnished wood, with a substantial alcohol kick. The finish is moderately long, featuring grilled pineapple, spiced chocolate, sautéed bananas, banana fronds, crystallized ginger, leather, and varnished wood. Absolutely, I find myself favoring rums aged solely in former bourbon casks and bottled at high proof. This one truly satisfied, presenting a fantastic blend of tropical rum character and mature bourbon qualities. It's a powerful and complex spirit that, despite minor imperfections, was a genuine pleasure to consume and conclude this small series. Gratitude to a friend and another friend for the kind samples.

Purchased this based on a review from a fellow enthusiast. My experience with aged rum is quite limited, having also tried a private barrel of Privateer, Mount Gay XO, and Smith and Cross. This clearly surpasses the MG and S&C (which I ultimately disliked and poured out after trying for over a year – intense funky notes!) and is comparable in quality to the Privateer. However, the Privateer seems harsher despite a similar proof; I attribute this to the Foursquare's age compared to the Privateer. On the nose, I detect banana and caramelized brown sugar with pineapple. The palate is abundant with vanilla and tropical fruit. It drinks more like 50% ABV than 60 – I had to verify this twice. I just rechecked before writing the next sentence. There's a slight funky aroma here, more so than on the Privateer, but it suits the spirit and adds depth and complexity. I prefer this over the Privateer. Also, I haven't had the opportunity to try GT Stagg, so I can't definitively say if I'd prefer this over it. Having a bottle of the lesser Stagg Jr, I'd say the quality and experience are quite similar, although my limited experience with aged rum means my palate might not be as attuned to its nuances as it would be for whiskey.

FourSquare has made a name for itself, specifically by targeting rum to whiskey and bourbon drinkers. Normally when you think of rum, artificial sweeteners, overly sweet flavors come to mind. What these guys have done is add layers of complexity over the sweetness. So, in essence, you’re not feeling as if you’re sucking on a sugar cube, just about to cross into a pre-diabetic category. These aren’t the rums you can mix into cocktails. These are rums you have like whiskey….with a smidge of water, or neat. This one here was graciously sent by a friend. Aroma is incredible: crème brûlée, caramel, vanilla. Taste isn’t quite as awe inspiring as the aroma. The heat comes through, but adding some water tames it. You get less of the crème brûlée, but now some herbal, woody elements. Plum, raisin, floral notes, balanced by wood. The fruity notes fade out in the ending, you’re left with some heat and oak. This is so close to a 5 star rum for me. Just fell a tad step back on the taste. But, I’m being picky at this point. If you can find this anywhere close to original price, buy on sight. Thanks again to the friend for the pour!

Nose: Peanut brittle is the initial scent, followed by tropical notes like coconut and musky mangoes. Palate: A burst of nutmeg spice leads to juicy fruit gum with a bourbon-like oak foundation. Sweet brown sugar and some leather are also present. The rum is rich and coating, surprisingly potent. Well executed! Finish: The finish is lengthy and warm, with a bourbon/caramel undertone and musty oak barrel notes. It lingers. A fantastic accompaniment for a chilly autumn or winter evening! Overall: This is an exceptional rum. It's rich, coating, intense, and expertly crafted. If you enjoy whiskey, this serves as a perfect bridge. It offers both profiles harmoniously. My only critique might be that one must have a strong appreciation for oak and spice to fully grasp its qualities. I had hoped the nutty aroma from the nose would be more prominent in the taste, but the oak took precedence. It avoids being overly sweet and tropical, presenting a more refined approach. At 120 proof, it presents a bold challenge. I am interested to see how it changes with a bit of water.