Happy New Year everyone! Once again I’m starting the year with a rum from Foursquare Distillery – some would say it’s good luck. This is a private bottling made by Foursquare for Nickolls & Perks.
Nickolls & Perks are wine and spirit merchants based in Stourbridge, England and were established in 1797 making them the 1520th oldest company in the world. With this year being their 225th anniversary, the family-owned company decided to celebrate it by launching their very first private bottling – and who better to work with than a family-owned distillery.
Foursquare Distillery in Barbados is a multi-awarded rum producer that’s known for its Doorly’s range, Exceptional Cask Selection and R.L. Seale’s or local brands such as Old Brigand and E.S.A. Fields. The N&P 225th Anniversary bottling was a 2 year long project and it was launched on the 12th of December.
This Private Cask Selection is described as being “a secret recipe of light and heavy marks” aged in ex-Bourbon barrels in the tropical weather of Barbados. I’m curious to see how different it will be from previous ex-Bourbon tropically aged expressions.
Molasses based, pot and column still distilled and aged for 15 years in ex-Bourbon barrels. Bottled at 58% ABV without any additives or chill filtering with only 1800 bottled available.
On the nose it feels quite heavy and tart. Nail varnish, unripe stone fruits, black olives and ashy treacle. Allspice, walnuts, almonds, leather and dried plums. It smells “thick” if it makes somehow sense. Raw cacao nibs, canned sour cherries, dried figs and strawberry jam. Black pepper, blackberries, dark tobacco and some tar.
On the palate it’s once again “thick” thanks to its body and oaky flavours. Allspice, marmalade, treacle and some anise. Dried plums & figs, sour cherries, rich tobacco and cacao nibs. It transits from more woody to more fruity depending how long it’s left to breathe. Vanilla, red apples, blackberries and ripe bananas. Brownies, black pepper and ginger. The finish is long with creamy oak and sour cherries.
2024 is off to a great start, this is absolutely delicious! I’ll be honest, I was worried this would be too oaky due to its long age and high ABV, but if you leave the glass to breathe for about 30-45 minutes it works wonders. It’s well balanced, complex and the heavy components deliver a nice, oily and thick mouthfeel.
Naturally it can be bought from Nickolls & Perks for £100 and I would definitely recommend getting one, especially if you’re a Foursquare fan.
Foursquare 15 Year Old Private Cask Selection – Nickolls & Perks 225th Anniversary score:
Flavour/taste: 60/70
Value for money: 15/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 90/100
Cheers!
Great review. I have two bottles of this, and this is spot on… Superb rum 🙂
I must agree!