Foursquare : Isonomy Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XX

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Isonomy Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XX by Foursquare

Tasting

Appearance
Isonomy reveals a deep golden amber hue with reddish-brown and orange highlights, a testament to its seventeen years of tropical ageing in bourbon casks. In the glass, the texture appears rich, with slow legs and a slightly syrupy look. This deep colour comes solely from the natural extraction of tannins and compounds from the American oak, with no added colouring.

Nose
The nose of Isonomy opens with intense notes of vanilla, caramel, brown sugar and caramelised molasses, quickly joined by very distinct coconut, ripe peach, pineapple and mango. Behind this indulgence emerge more serious aromas of leather, cigar box, furniture wax and spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Touches of mint, dried red fruit and bitter orange complete this complex, evolving bouquet.

Palate
The attack is rich and enveloping, driven by burnt caramel, brown sugar, butterscotch and pastry notes such as shortcrust pastry or graham cracker. Fruits such as red apple, banana, pineapple, cherry and bitter orange bring freshness, while the mid-palate is built around toasted oak tannins, green tea and spices such as nutmeg, clove and allspice. The whole remains remarkably balanced despite its 58% ABV, the velvety texture making for a smooth, rounded tasting experience.

Pairings and Tasting Occasions
Isonomy is best enjoyed neat, at room temperature around 18–20°C, or with a single ice cube to soften its intensity slightly. A few drops of water may also be added to open up the bouquet and soften the perception of tannins. This contemplative rum is best appreciated late in the evening, during dedicated tasting sessions, and pairs well with a dessert of dark chocolate and candied orange, a walnut brownie or a mature hard cheese.

Mixology
Isonomy is above all a sipping rum, to be enjoyed neat or with a light dilution, rather than a cocktail ingredient. Its rarity, price and aromatic complexity make it an exceptional spirit that we recommend drinking without embellishment, in order to appreciate its full richness.

A Powerful and Refined Barbados Rum, Isonomy Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XX by Foursquare

Foursquare, the emblematic family-owned distillery of Barbados rum
Founded in 1995 by David Seale on the site of a former 18th-century sugar factory in Saint Philip, Foursquare is now run by Richard Seale, the fourth generation of the family, master distiller and master blender. As the only family-owned distillery in Barbados, it combines a double retort pot still with a vacuum Coffey column still to craft 100% tropical single blended rums, bottled without any additives. A benchmark Barbados rum producer, Foursquare stands as a champion of transparency and of the authenticity of the Barbadian style, driven by its Exceptional Cask Selection range, a laboratory of rare and powerful expressions acclaimed by international critics.

Isonomy Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XX, a pinnacle of tropical ageing
Isonomy Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XX is the twentieth edition of Foursquare's Exceptional Cask Selection range, a laboratory of rare expressions at the Barbadian distillery. This Single Blended Rum is the result of blending double retort pot still and vacuum Coffey column distillates, aged entirely in a tropical climate for seventeen years in ex-bourbon American oak casks. This exceptionally long ageing results in a particularly high angels' share, strongly concentrating the remaining rum and limiting its availability accordingly. Bottled at 58% ABV, with no added sugar, colouring or flavouring, Isonomy continues the exploration of the boldest Barbadian style. Its name, derived from the Greek and meaning "equality before the law", echoes Foursquare's commitment to transparent and fair standards in the world of rum. Isonomy quickly won over specialist critics and enthusiasts alike, earning high scores on leading rating platforms and becoming one of the most sought-after editions of the Exceptional Cask Selection range.