It’s been around 6 years since I tried the Foursquare 2005 for the very first time and I remember how it blew my mind. That’s why, if nothing else, I always try to keep an eye out for these yearly vintages coming out of Barbados.
This expression is part of Foursquare Distillery’s Exceptional Cask Selection (ECS) and, while this is the 24th release of the range, the vintage itself is only number 8. All of the vintages are aged in ex-Bourbon barrels in the tropical climate of Barbados and, since the 2005 bottling, all of them have had a fixed maturation time of 12 years – yet you can almost always spot differences in the taste profile.
Naturally I have reviewed the 2010 last year so I’m looking forward to see how this one will fare in comparison. Not much else to say without repeating myself too much so let’s get to it.
Foursquare 2011 is molasses based, pot and column distilled and aged for 12 years in ex-Bourbon casks. Bottled at 60% ABV without any additives or chill filtering.
On the nose it feels aromatic and spicy. Creole spices, candied ginger, dried hibiscus and pink pepper. Walnuts, raisins and raw cacao nibs. It smells woody and chewy. Strawberry jam, cloves, marmalade and dried plums. Nail varnish, red apples and blackcurrants.
On the palate it’s also quite chewy. Sour cherries, dried fruits, creole spices and wood staves covered in molasses (at least this is how I think they would taste). Strawberry jam, blood orange and some warm spices. The oak and the distillate really compliment each other here. Blackberries, ginger, walnuts and caramel. Ripe bananas, cooked apples and maple syrup. The finish is long with spice galore and rich oaky notes.
The wood integration in this is beautiful making the rum full of various spices and aromatics. It’s more intense than the 2010, but in the same time a little less fruity – that being said I do prefer this bottling. It’s priced at £80 (Master of Malt, House of Malt, The Whisky Exchange) and there are still bottles available so I’d recommend getting one before they run out. Also, I heard a solid rumour that this might be the very last ECS vintage and that all the future Foursquare releases will be named so this will most likely be the last chance to get one.
On the other side, if you find any of the ECS offerings a little too expensive (I never did) I would recommend having a look at the Doorly’s rum range which is also made at Foursquare Distillery.
Foursquare 2011 – Mark XXI score:
Flavour/taste: 61/70
Value for money: 15/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 91/100
Cheers!