Foursquare Isonomy. The reviews haven’t been as prolific as usual of late. So we are falling behind a little with regards the latest releases in Foursquare’s Exceptional Cask Series.

To be honest the way the rums are selling out pretty much straight away the most likely place now to find a bottle of Isonomy is on the Secondary market. You may find the odd retailer has stock but they may be asking for a price above the original RRP.

There has been a fair amount of discussion about flippers and the difficulty in getting the ECS series for the past 2 to 3 years. I am fortunate in that I receive samples of each release. So even if I can’t get source a bottle on release – I can at least get a review out.

Reviewing the ECS releases can make you seem a bit of a “fan boy” some reviewers and bloggers have tried to suggest that Foursquare isn’t “all that”. I’m not sure if some of this is down to trying to be controversial. I also think some of it is down to the fact Richard Seale doesn’t tend to crawl up bloggers and reviewers backsides.

I think some people in the review world think they are more important than they actually are. A lot seem to be easily seduced by other companies offering them attention and freebies. Some love having their Ego’s stroked.

I’m quite happy to say Foursquare are producing some of the best rum available. I think any rum reviewer that thinks otherwise, should maybe be reviewing something else. Taste is subjective but you should be able to identify a quality spirit even if it isn’t too your more “hardcore” or more worryingly “sweet” tastes.

Anyway, I’ve got that off my chest so lets get on with the review.

Foursquare Isonomy is the 20th release in the ECS series and is oldest so far. Coming in at 17 Years Old. This is a 2005 Pot and Column blend of rums casks of this batch of rum have previously been released at various ages, the original 2005 (12 year), Nobiliary (14 year) and Shibboleth (16 year).

This rum has been aged in ex-bourbon casks. Foursquare Isonomy has been bottled at Cask Strength 58% ABV and retailed at around £90 on release. Best of luck finding a bottle nowadays…….

In the glass we are presented with a dark brown liquid with reddish/orange hue. I don’t think a rum can naturally get much darker than this.

The nose is re-assuring and familiar. A nice blast of coconut and vanilla alongside a good chunk of spicy rounded oak notes and a touch of barrel char.

There’s some fruitiness as well – raisin, dark cherries and some rum and raisin ice cream. A touch of dark chocolate and little menthol.

It’s a lovely big nose which will hold your attention for quite some time and is well worth spending time with before the sip.

Sipped Foursquare Isonomy is a big, more complex version of the 2004 and 2005 ECS releases. The extra years in the barrel have certainly added an extra layer. It is more rounded and fruitier. It still retains a lot of features of the 2004 and 2005 – the Bourbon esque spicy oaky notes and the big vanilla flavours but it is has also added an extra depth. It’s slightly more velvety. A lttle easier to drink even at the 58% ABV.

It slips down nicely the initial entry is oaky but quickly mellows into the fruitiness and vanilla flavours. The mid palate shows an array of oak, fruit and dark chocolate notes.

This leads into a long and very well rounded finish which just goes on and on……….

Maybe in hindsight, it would be fun to re-review every ECS and try and rank and rate them. However, I do think that they quality has remained pretty consistent and I’d be surprised if I ever re-visited them and felt they had somehow become inferior. Maybe some of the lower ABV early releases, might suffer slightly but I tend not obsess over ABV too much. It doesn’t concern me as much as some I find. I can still enjoy 40% ABV sippers.

This is one of the best ECS releases to date. Probably the best in the ex-bourbon only line up. If you can find a bottle then you won’t be disappointed

Happy hunting!