Foursquare 2005 - A Rummy Rum

First time I encountered Foursquare 2005 was in Barbados in the spring of 2018. We were there for a week to celebrate rum with a group of fellow enthusiasts. An experience that was made unforgettable by the generosity of Foursquare's Richard and Gayle Seale, who organized several events for us at the distillery and elsewhere.

Premise, Dominus and 2005 had just been released. I tasted them side by side at an amazing restaurant called “Tapas”.

There were many wonderful things distracting me from tasting this properly; the company, the view of the ocean and Richard explaining me the workings of a pot still with the help of a glass of water (pot) and pepper and salt shakers (the retorts). Sometimes tasting rum simply can’t be a priority!

The first impression it did give me was 2005 being the outstanding one of the three, with Dominus a close second and Premise a clear third.

Facts-ish

Distillery: Foursquare Distillery, Barbados

Age: 12 years in ex-bourbon cask

Abv: 59%

Hydrometer Fat Rum Pirate: 0-5 gr/l

Other: 2005 is the 6th in the Exceptional Cask Selection series. It's a blend of pot and column still rums.

Nosing

Nosing 2005 is something I could do every day and not take a single sip. Hence why I think this should be put in a fancy cologne bottle and be called Eau De Richard.

I’m first hit with bourbon cask vanilla and then some beautiful oak spice, tobacco, coconut and dried fruits. It’s nutty and a little briny.

There is a delicious sweetness that provides memories of grandma baking her signature cake. It’s impossible to get bored of that!

Tasting

2005 is very easy to drink, despite the relatively high abv. I recently let a friend taste this without telling him what it was. He's not used to drinking spirits neat. I asked him to guess the abv and he said "maybe 40%?".

I’m tasting plenty of oak and some amazing tobacco and dark chocolate. Finish is long and quite intense. It’s like that first kiss with your dream date that you never want to end. Imagine that kiss and then realize the finish of this rum lasts much longer than that. Makes it hard to choose between the two!

Deceit-O-Meter

Richard Seale is at the forefront of fighting for transparency in rum. It's therefore no surprise this rum has a true age statement and no additives. This is as far from deceitful as one can get in the world of rum.

Level: Zero to low

Conclusion

It’s an excellent and very balanced rum. For me it even beats some of the Foursquare Velier releases like Principia and Destino. That’s because it’s such a rummy rum.

There are so many different rum styles, but if someone would ask me for an example of what rum should taste like, Foursquare 2005 is one of the first that comes to mind.

Score: 89

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