Doorly’s is an historic Bajan rum brand now owned by Foursquare Distilery.  It was the first branded rum to be exported from the island of Barbados. Bulk rum was exported in casks long before Doorly’s,

The Doorly’s brand has been in existence since 1908.  This however, is a new expression.

Aged for 8 years in American White Oak this is very much an extension of the classic 5 year old Doorly’s.  The presentation and colour scheme are identifical.  The only real difference is the back label and the number of years denoted on the front.

This particular edition of Doorly’s was intended for the Australian market.  However Foursquare’s European distributor Marussia Beverages acquired a few bottles (the picture at the bottle of the review shows the details stamped on the rear of the bottle).  In the UK you can pick up a bottle at The Whisky Exchange for £29.95.

The rum is blend of column and pot still rums and is bottled at 40% ABV.

There really isn’t a great deal else to say about the rum or Foursquare.  Certainly nothing that I haven’t said before! So lets move onto the meat of the review.

In the glass Doorly’s 8 year old is a classic reddish/golden brown.  Likely there is some caramel colouring to help with colour consistency.

Nosing reveals a light, fruity typical Bajan style of rum.  Classic rum I would say.  It’s beautifully balanced.  It displays all the classic traits of tropical ageing in American oak casks.  Lovely light summer fruits, vanilla and the sweet/sour mash spice of the Bourbon casks.

If this was from another producer I would be surprised to be getting such a great balance.  I have said it before and I will say it again.  Foursquare, like Appleton Estate simply do not make bad rum.  An average Foursquare rum, by their high standards will eclipse the best of most rum producers efforts.  By a mile.

Sipping the Doorly’s 8 offers few surprises.  Which on this occasion is no bad thing!

Everything that is promised on the nose is delivered when sipped.  Nice oak notes and spicy sweet/sour bourbon mash. You also get sweet fruity notes – a little grape and some coconut.  A slight caramel sweetness as well, a just a touch of toffee.

It perhaps lacks the little extra bite and complexity some of the older Foursquare offerings have.  Pound for pound its probably a Foursquare rum I would pass on buying again.  Not because it is anyway a bad or sub standard rum but their older expressions are better and only a few pounds more. 

Foursquare have also produced so many better rums over the last couple of years that this one seems a little bit well – ordinary.  The added variation their recent limited edition Port and Zinfandel Cask Finishes just give you something else to explore and savour.

In terms of me receiving this rum its probably just bad timing.  I’ve been spoilt over the past couple of years with some truly exceptional rums from Foursquare.  This is very good but I just can’t get all that excited about it.  I blame Richard for spoiling us!

If I could pick this up a little cheaper I’d probably buy a few bottles as it is still a really good rum. As it stands I’ll probably buy up some more 2004 and the Port and Zinfandel cask rums instead.  Oh and the new 46% ABV R L Seale’s.