I'm indebted to this community. Truly. Between the pandemic and the summer heat, my heart just hasn't been as much into whiskey as it usually is. I thought a change of pace in order, so why not try rum. From my limited rabbit hole plunge, it's pretty clear that the rum world is filled with just as many passionate anoraks as the whiskey world is. Also, I'm grateful to
@Soba45 @cascode @Ctrexman and
@ContemplativeFox and
@jonwilkinson7309 (sorry if I forgot anybody) for all your fine suggestions. I'm a bonafide Foursquare fanboy now.
Now this rum is bananas. Literally! On the nose the first thing I get is bananas, particularly green bananas, along with plantains. The 12+ years in the barrel have also given it some lovely bourbon caramel and vanilla notes, along with some subtle brown sugar. The madeira cask gives it a dry wine quality, and the port casks leave some subtle berries. No sulphur or hogo (not that I mind such things), and a noticeable lack of ethanol. Such an enticing nose!
As you drink it, you know it's a rum, but your brain is tricked into thinking it's a bourbon. The barrel shows up here, with some elements of tannic char and the caramelized wood sugars. You can taste the oak and the age. All I can think is that it's remarkable that after 12 years in a barrel this rum didn't become over oaked. Here in Texas they age stuff for 36 months and it tastes like sucking on a barrel stave sometimes. And this finish! This must be the longest finish, clocking in at well over 2 minutes, on a 40% spirit of any kind I've ever tried. It moves in waves of fruit and spice, almost reminiscent of a hybrid between a high rye bourbon and a highland single malt.
This is exceptional. And as a bonus, there's no added sugar, an age statement, and it was only $23! Given the age statement, along with the multiple (expensive!) casks it aged in, and the fact that I've tried single malts at 3 and 4 times that price that weren't half as satisfying as this rum, I'd say they're doing some damn fine work at the Foursquare distillery, and I look forward to exploring more of their products in the future. I might stick to the Doorly's and R.L. Seale line for the time being, and squirrel away a bottle of Sagacity for a special occasion. Thanks again to y'all for your recommendations. Cheers!