Foursquare : Premise Exceptional Cask Selection Mark VIII

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Premise Exceptional Cask Selection Mark VIII by Foursquare

Tasting

Appearance
Premise presents an amber hue, shifting between orange and brown, with reflections closer to brass than copper. When swirled in the glass, it forms medium-thick legs that descend at a moderate pace, revealing a creamy texture and good body on the palate, without excessive heaviness.

Nose
The nose first opens with the imprint of the bourbon cask, with coconut, vanilla, caramel and clove, before giving way to the influence of the dry sherry: warm leather, figs, raisins and dark plums. There are also red and white grapes, green apples, a touch of peach, red berries, candied orange, black pepper and fresh liquorice, set against a background of polished wood reminiscent of old furniture or an old book being leafed through.

Palate
The attack is dry and tannic, driven by notes of roasted peanuts, intense dark chocolate, cold tea and dried fruits such as dates and slightly bitter raisins. The sherry-driven fruits (raisins, figs) dominate, accompanied by citrus zest, vanilla, black pepper and clove, while more unexpected touches of leather, ink and tobacco add a patinated dimension to the whole.

Pairings and Tasting Occasions

Premise is above all a rum meant to be enjoyed neat, as it proves easy to drink while offering real complexity to those who take the time to explore it. Its finish, medium to long in length, blends tannic dryness, cocoa, tea and dried fruits, with a lingering presence of sherry notes. It pairs particularly well with a cigar: its measured sweetness, dried fruits, cocoa and notes of tobacco and wood make it a favourite companion for enthusiasts of this kind of pairing, whatever the size chosen.

Mixology

Premise is designed as a pure sipping rum, the result of an elaborate double maturation and a precise distillation signature. It is therefore best savoured without embellishment, in order to fully appreciate the different layers of aroma that unfold over the course of the tasting.

A dry, spicy Barbadian rum, double-matured in bourbon and sherry casks, by Foursquare

Foursquare, the benchmark of Barbadian rum

Founded in 1996 by David Seale on the site of a former sugar factory in the parish of Saint Philip, Foursquare Rum Distillery is part of the centuries-old history of Barbadian rum, whose earliest traces of distillation date back to the 17th century. Heir to the trading house R.L. Seale & Co, founded in 1926, the distillery is now run by Richard Seale, the fourth generation of the family, recognised as a Master Distiller and Master Blender. Foursquare stands out for its complete mastery of production, from fermentation to tropical ageing, its refusal of additives and its leading role in the defence of a Barbados Geographical Indication. A benchmark Barbadian rum, Foursquare combines tradition, technical rigour and transparency, establishing itself as one of the most respected distilleries in the world.

Premise Exceptional Cask Selection Mark VIII, an unprecedented double maturation

Premise Exceptional Cask Selection Mark VIII is the eighth bottling in Foursquare's Exceptional Cask Selection range, a series of premium molasses rums renowned for their transparency and the absence of additives. Distilled in 2008, this rum is a blend of column and pot still distillates, characteristic of the single blended style unique to the distillery. Its distinctiveness lies in its double maturation: three years in ex-bourbon casks, followed by seven years in ex-dry sherry casks, for a total of ten years of ageing carried out entirely in the tropical climate of Barbados. Premise is thus considered the first bottling in the ECS range to explicitly highlight such a maturation in sherry casks, paving the way for other later expressions exploring this style.

Bottled in January 2018 at 46% ABV, Premise initially stood out for its accessible pricing, before seeing its value climb significantly on the secondary market as the reputation of Foursquare and its Exceptional Cask Selection range grew stronger. It remains a highly regarded benchmark among molasses rum enthusiasts, for the quality of its production and the sincerity of its composition.