Foursquare 2009 Barbados Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XVII – 60%
Stats: Blend of pot and column distillates aged a minimum of 12 years in ex-Bourbon casks. This is the 17th release in the ECS and the sixth “vintage” release, indicated by its distillation year. It was bottled at 60% ABV without chill filtration or additives.
Conditions: Enjoyed neat in a Glencairn over the course of two bottles
Nose: Tons of black pepper, cinnamon, brown sugar, milk chocolate, toasted coconut, cocoa, vanilla, cherries, freshly oiled furniture, clay, peppermint bark, yogurt
Mouth: Heat. Lots of oak, a green foresty note, maple, vanilla bean, chocolate, powdered cinnamon, cracked pepper and baking spices, slightly bitter coffee, walnut
Final Thoughts: Every time I pour a glass, I follow it up with a second, and sometimes a third… usually inside of an hour. Best not to ponder if that’s a healthy pace, but it definitely explains how I killed two bottles in short order, especially considering how many other bottles sit on my shelves.
This rum is exceptionally welcoming and immensely sippable. The profile seems a slight departure, or perhaps advancement, from what they’ve already perfected over time. I get a lot more spiciness, almost a rye whiskey characteristic. Not sure if that comes from barrel/aging influence or perhaps a heavier pot still component was integrated in the blend, but it strikes a chord with me. I contemplated the purchase of a third bottle but with the forthcoming 2010 around the corner, I figure I’ll wait to see how things progress with that release.
Rating: 5/5
My Scale:
1 – I don’t want this in my mouth ever again
2 – Best used for mixing
3 – Decent sipper
4 – Very enjoyable
5 – I’m buying a back up bottle
Austin Rum Society 
One response to “Foursquare 2009 Barbados Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XVII – 60%”
[…] Foursquare 2009 Barbados Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XVII 12 YearIt’s hard to go wrong with Foursquare in general but this release in particular stood out to me in a way the brand hasn’t in a while. It’s just super balanced, complex and complete. Round that out with a reasonable price point and this is one I’d love to have on hand at all times. I killed two bottles in short order and rather than purchasing a third, decided to hold out for 2010. While the “vintage series” is the closest thing they have to a continuous release, people will continue to debate and defend the merits of their preferred distillate run. Having now purchased one or more bottles each of 2004-2010, I maintain that 2009 is the most enjoyable to me. […]
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