Foursquare Equidem. Today we have a review of the 27th release in the Foursquare Exceptional Cask Series. The series shows no signs of abating and with a number of Exclusive Cask releases with various retailers and Rum Clubs, it really is becoming nigh on impossible to review EVERY Foursquare release.

Equidem is noted as meaning “Truly” on the rear label. Continuing, I guess Foursquare’s trend for releasing “Pure” rum without additives and being transparent.

I’m particularly interested in reviewing this release as it is the first ECS to be matured in ex-Black Muscat casks. What is Black Muscat? Well I’m guessing it is likely some kind of Red Wine and Black Muscat is a grape variety. Luckily for me (and you) we can rely on Wikipedia for a more accurate and detailed explanation

”Black Muscat (or Muscat Hamburg) is a red Vitis vinifera grape variety derived from the crossing of the Schiava Grossa and Muscat of Alexandria by Seward Snow, Head Gardener to Earl de Grey at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire UK in 1850, according to the Vitis International Variety Catalogue. In the US it is grown in wine appellations in California, Virginia, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. In Canada, it is also found on Vancouver Island. The French use it chiefly as a dessert grape including AOC varieties such as Muscat du Ventoux. In Eastern Europe, the grape produces a light, dry red wine. It is also starting to gain popularity as a table wine component in China.”

Foursquare Equidem is a blend of Pot and Column distilled rum. It has been matured for 5 years in ex-Bourbon casks and a further 9 years in the ex-Black Muscat casks. So it comes in at 14 years old. It has been bottled at a hefty 61% ABV. It will be available in the UK some time in March – I would expect a retail price of around £130 for a 70cl bottle. NB I have since been informed that the RRP in the UK will…………£98! Excellent!

In the glass, this is perhaps the darkest Foursquare rum I have seen to date.

Nosing Foursquare Equidem reveals familiar Foursquare notes of vanilla and coconut. However these are less dominant than in other releases. This is quite a funky rum for a Bajan style. I’m getting a fairly large chunk of tobacco smoke and shoe leather. Old Leather Armchairs as Dave Broom once noted in a review I read.

There is a sweet Red Wine note with a touch of sourness and some Black Cherry coming out of this as well. here is a light smokiness to this and quite a big hit of oak/woody-ness coming through. The nose is complex and intriguing. It is similar to a lot of ECS releases but it does seem a little more intense and richer than most.

First sip at the full 61% ABV is not for the faint hearted. This is a quite “tannic” initially with a lot of stoned fruits and red wine like flavour. It’s also pretty dry with a lot of wood coming through.

Further sips seem to “coat” the palate a bit more and the heat and intensity dies down somewhat. This gives way to more notes on the mid palate that I was getting on the nose. Amongst the rich dark fruits I am also getting some vanilla, coconut, orange peel/marmalade and I’m getting a touch of grassy-ness which reminds me a little of cachaca.

Foursquare Equidem nods towards some of the Velier Foursquare releases – Tryptych in terms of oak/woodiness and has a much thicker and richer mouthfeel than some of the “lighter” earlier ECS releases such as Premise and Détente.

Finish wise Foursquare Equidem is long – very long in fact. It’s full of the rich dark fruits and a touch of peppery spice. This gives way to a slow burn of oak and spices. The red wine influence on this one is quite large. Fortunately it doesn’t become too tannic or bitter. So even if you aren’t a Red Wine fan don’t let this put you off.

This truly is a “sipping rum” you really should take your time with this and appreciate it. It’s not a rum that I would look to mix (use Doorly’s XO if you want a more “Premium” mixer).

I feel that this release is offering something a little different to the previous ECS releases.

Highly recommended.