The Rum Barrel Blog

Another named Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection release, another Google search to find out what it means. “Equipoise” means “balance of forces or interests” or simply “a state of equilibrium” – I just took the first two results, but it does make sense since most of the Foursquare limited edition releases are pretty well balanced in flavour profile.

This marks (hehe) the 25th bottling from the well regarded Exceptional Cask Selection and the very first release from the distillery that uses maturation in Calvados barrels. This is a blend of two components, one that has been aged for 10 years in ex-Bourbon casks and then aged further for 4 years in former Calvados barrels and a 14 year old aged exclusively in ex-Bourbon casks all in the tropical climate of Barbados.

It’s worth mentioning that Equipoise scored a not-so-modest score of 99 points (out of 100 if anyone was wondering) and the International Wine and Spirits Competition this year. This is a very well regarded competition with a very capable judging panel so I will have some high expectations. I did try Equipoise previously at the Rum Show earlier this month, but for the review I’ll be trying a sample in the comfort of my own home.

Foursquare Equipoise is molasses based, pot and column distilled and aged for 14 years in ex-Bourbon and former Calvados barrels. Bottled at 61% ABV without any additives or chill filtration.

On the nose it feels woody and rich. Cloves, ripe red apples, stem ginger and sour cherry jam. Nutmeg, tangerines, liquorice and black pepper. I think I’ll have to let it breathe a little as the oak is quite intense. Sandalwood, maple syrup, some cardamom and cola. Canned plums, Earl Grey tea, raisins and dried figs. Ripe bananas, vanilla, old leather and a touch of minerality.

On the palate the oak really comes forward. Bourbon, biscuits, cloves and liquorice. Earl Grey tea, black pepper, blood orange and fresh ginger. As with many other Foursquare releases, the tropical maturation makes it feel quite chewy. Ripe plums, raisins and a hint of Fernet. Cola, sarsaparilla, cinnamon and some tobacco. Cooked red apples, sour cherries, nutmeg and raw cacao nibs. The finish is long with allspice and rich red fruits.

I was expecting the Mark XXV to be more fruity thanks to its Calvados maturation, but it’s actually quite spicy with clove and vanilla flavours at its forefront. It needs some time in the glass in order to develop some more fruity notes since the oak is pretty overpowering at the beginning. This is a really fantastic rum, but it requires patience or a couple of drops of water to reach its full potential.

Foursquare Equipoise will be available in the UK early August and, while I don’t have the price point for it, I don’t doubt it will be great value as always. Many thank to Peter Holland for the sample he provided to me!

Foursquare Equipoise – Mark XXV score:
Flavour/taste: 60/70
Value for money: 15/15
Transparency/purity: 15/15
Overall: 90/100

Cheers!