Overview
Brand: Foursquare, Exceptional Cask Selection series
Origin: Foursquare, St. Philip, Barbados
Still: Pot & Column Blend
Age: 12 years
Finish: ex-Bourbon
ABV: 59%
When this 2007 vintage of Foursquare rum arrived on the scene, it was the first vintage since the 2004 and 2005 releases to come through the ECS line– and have worldwide distribution. It (re)started an unbroken chain of vinage ECS releases that have so far included each year from 2007 through 2010, with 2011 suspected to come later this year.
So what happened to the 2006 vintage? It was a Velier collaboration that was only released in Europe (or perhaps outside the US). This is sometimes jokingly referred to as the "lost" vintage of Foursquare rum, even though the vintage may be available from different independent bottles, including Holmes Cay.
Like the other ECS vintages, 2007 is a blend of pot and column still distillate that was blended before casking, and spent 12 years maturing in ex-Bourbon barrels at Foursquare. In 2019, the rum was bottled at a strength of 59% ABV.
Appearance
Orange-brown, medium clarity, medium-low viscosity
Nose
Maraschino cherries, fresh pastry dough, vanilla, caramel, salted pecans, molasses
Palate
Vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, pastry dough, cherries, pecans, brown sugar
Finish
Long, warming, savory with fruit; vanilla, oak, cinnamon, molasses, cherries, blackberry
Rating: 8/10
Summary
This is just a fantastic rum; Foursquare 2007 is fruity, savory, sweet, and has plenty of oak (but not too much!). It's very balanced and almost perfectly evokes the Foursquare signatures I've come to know and love, while delivering a manageable punch.
The orange-brown rum offers maraschino cherries and fresh pastry on the front of this eloquent nose, followed by vanilla and caramel. Salted pecans come in next, with molasses coming in at the end. It's just such a fun and enjoyable nose, even though it doesn't seem like a very complex set of aromas.
2007's palate is similarly straightforward, with vanilla, caramel, and spicy cinnamon leading the tasting experience. Pastry dough and cherries come through next, bringing a lot of the Foursquare signature notes into play by this point. More pecans come in now, bringing the same salty-savory nut note to the palate. As the palate closes, a sweet note of brown sugar comes in to bring a little sweetness to this wonderful palate.
The long finish is warming, savory, and has hints of fruit. Notes of vanilla, oak, cinnamon, molasses, cherries, and blackberry are present.
Foursquare 2007 is a great vintage from the famous Bajan distillery. I've heard a lot of people rate this as one of their favorites of the vintage ECS releases, and I can definitely see why this is so popular. Though it is unlikely to be seen on the shelf anymore, if you do spot it, I highly recommend jumping on that opportunity.