Foursquare Exceptional Cask Mark XXVII "Equidem" 14 Year Rum

The twenty-seventh release in Foursquare's well-loved and much-lauded Exceptional Cask Series is a debut for a new, and true to the name, exceptional kind of cask. Black Muscat Wine casks are not only a rarity for Foursquare, or rum itself, but spirits as a whole. We can't recall seeing any spirit come through our store aged in Black Muscat casks, and honestly, we had to look up exactly what that is. The grapes themselves have dark skin and a sweet taste, making them a favorite table grape, where they are found more often than in wine production, in which they result in a softly sweet dessert wine that is often redolent of cassis, honeysuckle, and tropical fruits. 

This blend of pot and column still rum was aged first in ex-Bourbon barrels for 5 years, then a further 9 years in the Black Muscat casks. The nose opens with vanilla and orange peel, leading into sweet tangerine, herbs, and subtle spice cabinet notes. The palate is bold and complex, but quite round and very pleasant. Distinctive savory notes - similar to miso, or salted caramel, with hints of enoki mushroom, keather, cedar, and honey notes on the finish - all built around a base of brown butter, rich toffee, and characters of both berry and citrus fruits. A stupendous debut for Black Muscat casks, and yet another great bottling of Foursquare rum. Bottled at cask strength with no additives of any kind, 61% abv.