Foursquare Nobiliary

A gift from one of my nephews. Neck pour impressions: Wow, this rum is hot! An ice cube mellowed to an agreeable level and let the flavors shine through. Brown sugar, raisins, vanilla, oak, a bit like a rum cask finished bourbon. I look forward to exploring this bottle further.

Sample graciously provided by @ctbeck11 poured next to the 2009 ECS. Compared to the 2009, this appears to be a shade or two darker. The nose and palate similarly show a bit more depth, richness, and wood. It seems to be hotter than the 2009, even more so than the 2% ABV would suggest, but the finish brings something that I can’t quite put my finger on, which puts it over the top as better than the 2009. Really enjoyable experience sipping this one. However, given that I’m a relative newby at aged rum (and that I’m a value shopper), I’m not sure if it’s as much better as the price difference would indicate. I found the 2009 for about 80, and it sounds like the Nobillary retailed for 120+. This actually makes me want to go buy another bottle of the 2009, because while I think this is better, it makes me think the 2009 is a screaming deal for a rum that seems to be maybe 85% the quality as perhaps what may be the pinnacle of rums. Thank you to @ctbeck11 for the opportunity to try this one!

Wow. This is a fantastic rum with lots of bourbon notes from the casks. At 62% ABV, it’s got plenty of backbone and will only get better as you sip it over ice. If you’re trying to convince a whiskey snob to try high end rum - this is a great bet.

My favorite rum I’ve had!

Nose - bittersweet molasses, dark chocolate, strong oak, clove, allspice, vanilla, grass, anise, toffee, violet, coconut, nutmeg, orange pith, leather, tobacco, caramelized banana, black cherry, grape, pineapple rind, moderate to high ethanol burn. Taste - bittersweet molasses, leather, tobacco, pineapple, orange zest, clove, allspice, dark chocolate, salted caramel, coconut, cherry, mint, grape, vanilla, nutmeg, sweet floral notes, tannic oak, overripe banana, moderate to high alcohol bite, finishing medium long with molasses, dark fruits, chocolate, and strong, tannic oak flavors. The nose is similar to the 2007 Exceptional Cask release I tasted yesterday, but the Nobiliary is deeper, richer, and less confectionery. The leather, tobacco, and oak notes are also cranked to eleven. The palate follows suit with explosively rich molasses, chocolate, and dark fruits. Pineapple, banana, and brandied cherries are also in the mix. What a fantastic rum! In my mind, Foursquare is the Texas whiskey of rum. And I love Texas whiskey. Big, bold, tannic, and jam-packed full of amazing aromas and flavors. As a 14 Year product, the two extra years absolutely refine the experience. It’s still hot, but not nearly as youthful and bright as the 2007. This is getting a very high score. In fact, it’s going to be the first non-whiskey spirit to crack my elusive 4.5 ranking. And I’m tempted to give this a perfect 5.0, but will try it a few more times before making the final decision. Regardless, Nobiliary certainly lives up to its name. I can’t imagine rum getting much better than this. I wonder if an extra two years of aging could possibly improve it? We’ll find out tomorrow.

Good rum, but too strong for my taste. After it mellowed with ice, it was better, but still too hot for my taste.

The nose lures you in with a rich and decadent butterscotch pudding followed by rum notes of bananas foster, coconut macaroons, and fresh cut pineapple that then drifts to bourbon notes of cherry pie filling, orange peel, chocolate followed by spices of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, leather and old polished mahogany with high ethanol burn. The taste is a continuation of those sweets on 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 old polished mahogany with high ethanol burn. This finishes long with boozy pineapple upside down cake with bourbon spiked frosting, sweetened coconut flakes, maraschino cherries, orange, ginger, leather, and old polished mahogany that lingers for minutes. This is a high octane rum that brings in those sweet dark rum flavors and marries them together with bourbon notes that taste old, bold, balanced and complex. I could nose and taste this for hours without being bored as the bourbon and rum notes create this rich, decadent, and incredibly unique experience akin to eating a Michelin star version of bananas foster with a side of coconut macaroons while sipping a glass of well-crafted older bourbon. I highly recommend this for any whiskey or rum drinker as this is just a masterpiece that could compete with spirits two to three times its price and easily beat them.