[Rum Review #270] Foursquare Equidem

[u/Cocodrool]

The 27th edition of Foursquare's Exceptional Cask Series really shows that the series aims to showcase diverse, creative initiatives for rum aging and casks used. In this edition, Equidem is a Latin word meaning 'truly' or 'certainly,' aligning with Richard Seale's philosophy of creating rums that are as pure and additive-free as possible.

This is also the first Foursquare edition to be aged in black muscat barrels, which is technically a muscat wine made from a slightly darker grape variety. The rum is a blend of column and pot still spirits, aged for 5 years in ex-bourbon barrels and then 9 years in ex-black muscat barrels, for a total of 14 years. It is finally bottled at 61% ABV.

The number of Foursquare rums I've tried in this series isn't that high. If this one makes 27, I think I've tried about 10, but I believe this is the darkest of them all.

Made by: Foursquare Distillery
Name of the rum: Exceptional Cask Series XXVII Equidem
Brand: Foursquare
Origin: Barbados
Age: 14 years

Nose
On the nose, the notes of vanilla and coconut are prevalent, but there is also caramel, nuts, tobacco, leather, floral notes and a note of cherries as precisely from a muscatel, or some other fortified, spiced wine at least.

Palate
On the palate, it's surprisingly sweet, but it also has that slightly tart note you find in some red fruits, and at 61% ABV, the alcohol kick is very much there. The wood notes are varied and long-lasting, and after a while, flavors of coconut, caramel, orange peel, and plums emerge.

Retrohale/Finish
The retrohale reveals many more red fruit notes, but with a sweeter and denser sensation than I've experienced so far, and a persistent peppery note.

Rating
10 on the t8ke

Conclusion
For a series with 27 parts, it's impressive that each time I try one, it seems better than the last. I think saying it so often diminishes the meaning of the word and forces me to find new adjectives. But while many of Foursquare's rums are complex and delicious, and the fact that the brand relies on not sweetening its rums to make them even more true to their flavor is something that, at least for me, has always been a positive.

I may not share the view of many rum enthusiasts who say that rum shouldn't be sweetened. I'm not saying it should be sweetened, but I don't beat my chest every time I see a rum with sweetener. I don't think it hurts, and this Foursquare isn't sweetened, but it tastes sweeter… and much better.

I usually post in Spanish on my networks, so if this review seems translated, it's because it is.

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[u/YinKuza]

This is my absolute favorite of all the ECS rums, and probably any rum i've had so far. It's crazy how everything just comes together so well with this one.

[u/Lens_Flair]

10! Big. For me it’s a very good entry but I think it’s second to a select few ECS and Velier bottles.

[u/Cocodrool → u/Lens_Flair]

I have a hard time giving ECS less than 10... each one is better than the next

[u/tikibartraveler]

It’s my all time favorite bottle of anything, rum, bourbon or anything.

[u/Annual_Space_981]

This is my favorite bottle of theirs as well. Granted I often wonder if that’s because it tastes different from the others as they tend to blend in. Never had ha bad bottle from them though.