RumShopBoy.com

Barbados

48%
£150

Single Blended Rum: A blend of pot still and traditional column still from a single distillery.
ABV Hydrometer Test: 48% ABV @ 20°
* B

Rather than rushing straight into a quick review of the new release of Foursquare’s Exceptional Cask Selection (ECS) – number XIII, entitled “2008” (my order has just arrived today), it seems like a good opportunity to write about a Foursquare release that has gone somewhat under the radar, especially review-wise. This will give me time to properly assess the flavours of 2008 ahead of a review.

Following the resounding success and popularity of Foursquare’s Exceptional Cask Series, a number of editions have been produced labelled as being “Private Cask Selection”.

Today I am looking at one such bottling, the “Private Cask Selection” for V&B in France, also unofficially known as Peculiari.

The Private Cask is for V&B – a French concept combining a bar and a cellar/shop in one location, which was formed in 1998 by Jean-Pierre Derouet and Emmanuel Bouvet. The Foursquare edition was released in 2019. It is a combination of single matured rums from ex-Bourbon barrels and double matured rums from ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry barrels. It has been entirely tropically aged for 12 years and is limited to 1,800 bottles and presented at 48% ABV.

Foursquare 12 Year Old Private Cask Selection / V and B
is a Single Blended Rum:
A blend of pot still and traditional column still.

Bottle/Presentation 3/3

The rum is housed in the usual Exceptional Cask Selection bottle. The front label has details about the age, distillation and maturation together with the ABV (48%) and the VandB logo. On the rear, we are told about the blend of single and double matured rums as well as being reminded that this is proper rum – no sugar or other flavour has been added and it is not chill filtered. We have an artificial cork enclosure and the now-familiar Foursquare ribbon around the bottle’s neck.

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Glass/Aroma 6/10

Rum and raisin fudge in my glass – yummy. Subtle lightly toasted oak and dried fruits, followed by an unusual off-note that is slightly acetone. There are also raisins and figs.

Taste, Initial-middle 35/40

The entry is lovely – light, sweet and smooth. Toffee and dried fruits, notably raisins. There is a beautiful balance between sweet and dry. Some light oak, caramel and dried fruits.

Towards the mid-palate, some bitter oak notes appear.

Taste, Middle/Throat 31/40

The slightly bitter oak is joined by an off-note reminiscent of Bovril. It is slightly distracting but not unpleasant. Some sweet caramelised fruits and drying oak. A hint of vanilla, oak and pepper develop, too

Afterburn/Finish 5/7

Long, dry and persistent. Some oak, mild white pepper and a lingering memory of caramel.

TOTAL 80/100

Value: 4/10

Expect to pay a premium for this exclusive Private Cask edition from France. If you want to add to your collection, it is decent value, but there are much better Foursquare rums available and you can get two or three for the price of one of these.

Flavour Profile:

Review No. 158

 

*
P Denotes the rum contains POT still distillate.
C Denotes the rum contains traditional/Coffey COLUMN still distillate.
B Denotes the rum contains a BLEND of POT and COLUMN still distillate.
M Denotes the rum contains MULTI-COLUMN still distillate or is a MODERN rum.
A Denotes the rum is an AGRICOLE i.e. from Cane Juice.
S Denotes the rum is presented in a SWEETENED style.

Marking Guide:
Bottle/Presentation Out of 3
Glass/Aroma Out of 10
Taste, Initial-middle Out of 40
Taste, Middle/Throat Out of 40
Afterburn/Finish Out of 7
TOTAL 100