Foursquare 2004 Empery Exceptional Cask Selection Mark IX 14yo 56% 700ml

The Foursquare 2004 Empery Exceptional Cask Selection Mark IX is an exceptional 14-year-old rum crafted by the renowned Seale family at the Foursquare Distillery in Barbados. Distilled in 2004 and bottled in 2018, this single blended rum boasts an impressive ABV of 56% and is a part of the prestigious Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection series.

Aged in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks, this rum offers a rich and fruity profile with notes of dried fruits, dark chocolate, and caramel. Distilled using both a copper column still and a pot still, the rum is then matured in American oak barrels, which impart a savory complexity featuring flavors of coconut, vanilla, and sherry with hints of raisins and light tannins.

Upon aeration, Foursquare 2004 Empery reveals a beautifully concentrated oak aroma, intertwined with scents of cigar, spices, and a unique blend of orange peel and dried raisins. The dark character of this rum is further highlighted by strong toasted oak, caramelization, and notes of burnt or smoked fruits and nuts.

As a limited release, this rum is a must-try for collectors and enthusiasts alike. The Foursquare Distillery is celebrated for producing some of the finest rums in the industry, and this bottle is a testament to their craftsmanship and heritage.

FAQs

• What are the main flavor notes of the Foursquare 2004 Empery?

  This rum features rich and fruity notes with hints of dried fruits, chocolate, caramel, coconut, vanilla, and sherry. Additional flavors include tobacco, spices, and oak.

• How is the Foursquare 2004 Empery distilled?

  The rum is distilled using both a copper column still and a pot still, and then aged in American oak barrels that previously held bourbon and sherry.

• What makes the Foursquare 2004 Empery special?

  This rum is a limited release from the celebrated Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection series, known for its complex flavor profile and meticulous aging process.

Tasting notes

• Aroma: Raisin, dried fruit, woody, oak, vanilla, sherry
• Taste: Raisin, dried fruit, oak, woody, chocolate, tobacco, spice
• Finish: Dried dates, oak, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, caramelized, tobacco, dry, prunes, spice
• Overall: The Foursquare 2004 Empery Exceptional Cask Selection IX 14yo 56% 700ml offers a complex and multifaceted rum experience, characterized by rich tropical fruit notes, sweet and spicy elements, and a lingering finish with hints of chocolate, coffee, and tobacco.

Reviewer's opinion

• This rum is excellent, particularly when paired with flambéed bananas. The aroma alone is a delight, though it is quite strong.
• A lovely smell and taste of oak. One sip fills your mouth with the robust flavor of oak, offering an awesome experience with a well-balanced finish.
• On the nose, it begins with a light solvent aroma that evolves into magnificent chocolate caramel and waxed wood after aeration. Coconut and red fruits appear later. The palate starts with pepper and wood, then transitions to vanilla toffee and dominant caramel, with a final touch of long-lasting spices, wood, tobacco, vanilla, and caramel. This is a top-notch rum.
• The alcohol is strong, but the nose is sweet with hints of pastries, leather, varnished wood, and overripe banana. A slight sourness initially detracts but improves significantly with oxidation, revealing ample fruit and eliminating sulfur notes. This rum deserves its high marks.
• Another excellent bottling from Foursquare. The nose is fruity with vanilla and chocolate topped by wonderful oak. The palate is well-balanced and complex with fruit, spices, and a touch of chocolate, tobacco, and oak. The finish is nice and long with dried fruit, vanilla, and coffee, ending on a pleasant oak note.
• Full of spices and dried fruit, with a noticeable wine influence and a hint of tobacco. Some sulfur is present when first smelled but dissipates over time. Good, though not the best Foursquare offering.
• A typical yet faultless entry in the Exceptional Cask Selection series. Very harmonious with just the right amount of sweetness.
• Still one of the best offerings in the ECS rum line.
• Very nice sample, a front-runner among Foursquare rums for me.
• The nose is a bit closed, and the mouthfeel is somewhat windy. Not unpleasant, but not my favorite either.
• After initial aeration, the nose opens up beautifully to chocolate caramel and waxed wood, followed by coconut and red fruits. The palate starts with pepper and wood, then moves to vanilla toffee and caramel, with a long finish of spice, wood, tobacco, vanilla, and caramel. This rum is top-tier.
• This Empery is one of my favorite Foursquare rums. Typical of this old distillery with its very pastry-like character. The aromas of coconut rock and cotton candy are well balanced by well-integrated alcohol. Not very complex but highly effective.