Foursquare Isonomy

The aroma presents richness and decadence, beginning with aged wood and caramel custard, layered with bananas cooked in syrup, coconut cookies, and ripe pineapple. This is followed by newly lit pipe tobacco, then cherry pie filling, chocolate-orange, and mango, leading into gentle baking spices like cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon, alongside leather and aged, polished mahogany, with a moderate alcohol heat. The palate has a smooth, luxurious texture, starting with aged wood and caramel custard that quickly shifts to sweet yet slightly tart fruits, including grilled pineapple, toasted coconut, lightly scorched lime, and slightly unripe bananas. Notes of Black Forest cake, espresso, leather, and aged, polished mahogany emerge, with a moderate alcohol heat. The finish is extended, initially sweet with boozy pineapple upside-down cake topped with bourbon-infused frosting. This gives way to hints of espresso, toasted coconut shavings, then mildly tart citrus reminiscent of cherries jubilee and candied mangoes. It transitions into subtle notes of ginger, leather, and aged, polished mahogany that persist for a long while. This is an exceptional rum; its 17 years in former bourbon barrels have truly imparted deep, aged wood characteristics that avoid excessive bitterness, instead complementing the rum's sweet tropical fruits and the rich sweetness from the bourbon's influence. Foursquare's distillations consistently impress me, but these older rums aged entirely in former bourbon casks are truly exceptional, capable of rivaling spirits that cost many times more. Regrettably, I appear to have missed this bottling. My sincere gratitude to a friend for the kind sample allowing me to experience it.

Took a small taste yesterday evening and found I enjoyed it more than before. It made me consider the latest ECS bottling, which I had skipped due to the cost and concern over excessive tannin. Today, my curiosity won out, and I purchased this one. Fortunately, a few bottles remained. It carries a high price, but 17 years aging in bourbon barrels in the Caribbean made the decision for me. Notes include pineapple cake, vanilla, brown sugar, candied nuts, banana, coconut, key lime, a hint of floral, semisweet chocolate, dusty warehouse oak, cherry pipe tobacco, and menthol. I had feared it might be too bitter, similar to the Shibboleth; thankfully, it achieves a pleasant woody character without becoming overly bitter. The oak is perceptible but less dominant than anticipated. While my experience with rum is somewhat limited, this now stands as the finest rum I have sampled, surpassing FS Nobiliary. Unfortunately, my tasting of the Nobiliary was only a small sample, preventing a thorough comparison. However, as I am quite fond of the FS 2009 and still possess a bottle, I conducted a side-by-side comparison. This was clearly more profound, richer, and better integrated, with prominent oak, tropical fruit, and vanilla notes. It is bold and rich, yet exceptionally easy to drink. An absolutely remarkable rum. It falls within the 4.75-5 range, but I'm awarding it a 5 for now.

A sample from a friend, brought along for a work trip. I might have had a glass each night. My usual once every few weeks turned into one pour nightly, serving as a reward after long days, early mornings, time shifts, and eating out three times daily. Tonight’s drink is this FourSquare. Seventeen years aged in the tropics. Incredible. That's like 30-40 years in Scotland. Consider that for a moment. The intense wood and spirit connection goes into overdrive in such warm climates. Besides any rum from Caroni, this is now my top rum choice. Strong oak, but nicely balanced with cocoa, pineapple, and cherry notes. No funky elements like Caroni or Long Pond, but plenty of power derived solely from the wood. Folks, this isn't for mixing... please avoid that. This is intended for slow sipping after an exhausting day of 10-hour strategy sessions during business travel. Thanks again to my friend for the sample!

Excellent serving. Basically a bourbon with hints of molasses, bananas, dark fruit, pineapples, brown sugar, and honey with a zesty finish. Smell: Caramel, Pineapples, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Honey, Sultanas, Treacle, Dates, Bananas, Cookie Dough, Apple Pie, Plums, Pecan Pie Taste: Molasses, Bananas, Caramel, Apricots, Pineapples, Vanilla, Milk Chocolate, Coconuts, Raisins, Makuna Honey Aftertaste: Molasses, Bananas, Peaches, Dates, Figs, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Licorice

Medium amber. Intense oak spice (vanilla), banana, molasses. Complex spice (allspice, cinnamon), woody, dried fruit (fig). High alcohol (cask strength), burning spice finish. Exceptional 17 year rum. No funk, strong but controlled wood. Very pricey for rum, but worth it compared to other cult brown spirits.

Notes of tobacco on the aroma. Some banana and tropical fruit are present with the tobacco on the taste. I appreciate it, but it's a bit too much tobacco for my liking.