Foursquare Nobiliary

Nose - Burnt molasses, dark chocolate, robust oak, clove, allspice, vanilla, grassy notes, anise, toffee, violet, coconut, nutmeg, orange peel, leather, tobacco, cooked banana, black cherry, grape, pineapple skin, with a noticeable to high ethanol burn. Taste - Burnt molasses, leather, tobacco, pineapple, orange zest, clove, allspice, dark chocolate, salted caramel, coconut, cherry, mint, grape, vanilla, nutmeg, sweet floral aromas, tannic oak, overly ripe banana, a moderate to high alcohol sting, finishing medium long with molasses, dark fruits, chocolate, and strong, tannic oak flavors. This nose is comparable to the 2007 Exceptional Cask release I sampled yesterday, but the Nobiliary is richer, deeper, and less sweet. The leather, tobacco, and oak notes are significantly more pronounced. The palate mirrors this with intensely rich molasses, chocolate, and dark fruits. Pineapple, banana, and brandied cherries are also present. What an amazing rum! In my opinion, Foursquare is the rum equivalent of Texas whiskey. And I enjoy Texas whiskey. It's big, bold, tannic, and absolutely packed with incredible aromas and flavors. As a 14-year-old spirit, the additional two years truly enhance the experience. It's still strong, but far less youthful and bright than the 2007. This is earning a very high score. In fact, it will be the first non-whiskey spirit to reach my exceptional 4.5 ranking. I'm even considering a perfect 5.0, but I'll taste it a few more times before finalizing my decision. Without a doubt, Nobiliary truly lives up to its name. I can't imagine rum being much better than this. I'm curious if an extra two years of aging could possibly improve it further? We shall discover tomorrow.

The aroma draws you in with a rich and indulgent butterscotch pudding, followed by rum notes of bananas foster, coconut macaroons, and freshly cut pineapple, then transitioning to bourbon notes of cherry pie filling, orange peel, chocolate, and spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, leather, and aged polished mahogany, with a strong ethanol burn. The taste echoes the sweetness from the nose, with a velvety rich mouthfeel starting with grilled pineapple, coconut, butterscotch pudding, bananas foster, then cherries and oranges, cloves, nutmeg, pepper, leather, and aged polished mahogany, accompanied by a high ethanol burn. It finishes long with boozy pineapple upside-down cake with bourbon-infused frosting, sweetened coconut flakes, maraschino cherries, orange, ginger, leather, and aged polished mahogany that lingers for minutes. This is a high-octane rum that incorporates those sweet dark rum characteristics and merges them with bourbon notes that taste mature, robust, balanced, and complex. I could spend hours nosing and tasting this without boredom, as the bourbon and rum notes create a rich, decadent, and incredibly unique experience akin to enjoying a Michelin-star rendition of bananas foster with a side of coconut macaroons while sipping a glass of well-made aged bourbon. I highly recommend this to any whiskey or rum enthusiast, as it is a masterpiece that could rival and surpass spirits priced two to three times higher.

A sample kindly provided by a friend was poured alongside the 2009 ECS. In comparison to the 2009, this appears a shade or two darker. The aroma and palate similarly exhibit a bit more depth, richness, and wood influence. It seems hotter than the 2009, even more so than the 2% ABV difference would suggest, but the finish offers something I can't quite identify, which elevates it above the 2009. This was a truly enjoyable sipping experience. However, considering I'm relatively new to aged rum and I'm a value-conscious shopper, I'm uncertain if it's as significantly better as the price difference implies. I found the 2009 for around 80, and this one reportedly retailed for over 120. This actually makes me want to buy another bottle of the 2009, because while I believe this is superior, it makes me think the 2009 is an exceptional value for a rum that seems to be perhaps 85% as good as what might be the peak of rums. Thank you to a friend for the opportunity to sample this one!

The aroma is delicate, with notes of fruit, burnt sugar, nutmeg, and a whisper of molasses and vanilla. There's no alcohol burn whatsoever. The palate echoes this, with sweet prunes, cloves, and pepper that linger on the finish before fading to a molasses cookie. It's surprisingly mellow for its 124 proof. I've sampled several Foursquare bottlings labeled 'of the year,' which are quite good. This one surpasses them easily and justifies the higher cost. Serving it over ice truly enhances the flavors. Do not mix this in a cocktail. It's the finest rum I've ever had.

The nose is sweet and full of red hots candy with caramel notes and undertones of melon. The initial taste is remarkably smooth, loaded with spices and brown sugar. This isn't your typical American brown sugar; it's more like Mexican piloncillo or Colombian panela, a deep brown sugar where the delightful impurities dance and swirl on your palate. A perfect hint of leathery tobacco. A little air brings out a heat like red hots. Oh my, it's delicious. The finish is clean with a pleasant lingering warmth.

Dark and spicy, the bourbon cask influence is undeniable. Up front, I detect strong coffee notes with green peppercorn, anise, and nutmeg. Vanilla appears in the middle, leading to a pastry cream finish. This is a spirit to be savored by any fan of American whiskey or potent, flavorful drinks. Magnificent at any price.