Doorly’s 12 year was a knockout rum for my palate and being that it is basically Foursquare in disguise I wanted to know what it’s bigger sibling could do. Enter Premise. Double the price but on the lower end of Foursquare cost. Aged 10 years, not 12, but in a mixture of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry before being blended together. A quick sip of Doorly’s 12 reminds me just how sweet an unsweetened rum can still be. Plenty of molasses, maple and oak. This on the other hand… The nose is rich and sweet with the same maple and molasses, alongside dried oak and plenty of nutty, rancio notes from the Sherry casks. At first the sherry is overpowering with a copper pennies funk but with a little air it mellows and balance arrives along with a nice cola note. Something tannic remains though that reminds me of Joseph Magnus and Spanish brandy. Light enough with a mess of flavors at first. The rancio dominates but the cola and molasses trickle back in. Finally some bitter walnut, ripe bananas, dash of sea salt and oak come in and for a moment I almost forget the sherry. Still, the classic molasses flavor takes some searching for but is ultimately there, like my son hiding under a blanket - I know he’s there and am impressed he’s so still but springs out with a smile once the jig is up. So… this is interesting. There is so much Sherry influence that I almost wish it was dialed back a bit. The end is rewarding if you are willing to search through the flavors… but it takes some effort. It is something to sip and relax, to take your time with, to contemplate. I’ll leave it at that.