So….until you’ve been hiding below a rock you’ll know concerning the latest launch of the Velier distributed Foursquare Plenipotenziario…Additionally, you will know all about Foursquare Rum distillery but when not, click on on the hyperlink right here for a spherical up of all issues Foursquare on the positioning earlier than we rapidly get into issues.
Now that you just’re again, lets transfer on.
I first encountered Foursquare Plenipotenziario the day earlier than Boutique Rumfest in London in October 2019. It was throughout the Foursquare Dinner on the Oxo Tower, on similar night that I additionally encountered Sagacity. As a gaggle we instantly knew that one thing was totally different about this one as though we have been ingesting copious quantities of Foursquare ECS 2007, which itself is an enormous and daring proposition, Plenipotenziario felt a bit of meatier and carried a bit of extra heft. All of us awaited its arrival over the approaching months and sadly provided that we’re within the throws of a worldwide pandemic, launch was delayed for a short time given the shut down. However it arrived in early April.
So let take a look at it.
Foursquare Plenipotenziario – Single Blended Rum – 60% abv – 0 g/l components
So….firstly the title….Plenipotenziario. The phrase is from the latin plenus which implies “full”, and potens which implies “highly effective” and it could discuss with an individual that has “full powers”. So it continues the now conventional naming conference for the Velier distributed choices which began with Triptych in 2017.
Distilled in 2007 and bottled in October 2019, we all know that we’re getting a Single Blended Rum, which is a mix of batch and conventional steady distillation from one distillery. As is at all times the case these are blended within the barrel. The Rum has seen 12 years maturation in ex-bourbon barrels within the tropical local weather of Barbados. We additionally get one other little snippet on the entrance label….Heavy & Gentle. A lot was fabricated from this on-line with folks concluding that it merely meant pot and column, however the rear label expands upon this. The Rum is a mix of output from the Foursquare Pot nonetheless and in addition of sunshine and heavy distillates from the Foursquare conventional Coffey nonetheless. We had heard that Richard has heavier column distillate however not an excessive amount of of it, in order I had not seen anybody method the topic and being curious as I’m (although missing a lot understanding), I questioned Richard about these heavy column nonetheless distillates and the way he obtained them.
I requested whether or not, as we appear to know from locations like Caroni, this heavy distillate was a results of decrease rectification and as there isn’t an excessive amount of of it, whether or not it required important adjustments to the best way that the Coffey nonetheless was operated. Fortunately, and as he often does, Richard was forthcoming with a solution. The heavier distillate was obtained by way of decrease rectification with out heads / tails cuts however because the nonetheless is just not arrange for this, it lacked effectivity and was not as properly managed. Modifications have since been made to the column nonetheless so as to add flexibility and to permit management of this flexibility, and though they received’t be producing the identical distillate they’ve extra vary from the column nonetheless now. All of this was impressed by the sooner steps that created the heavier column rum inside Plenipotenziario.
So there we have now it. A Single Blended Rum containing a marque from the column nonetheless that’s hardly ever seen, matured in ex-bourbon barrels for 12 years in a tropical local weather and retailing for 139 euros.
Tasting Notes
Nostril: Somewhat punchy straight from the pour….properly we’re coping with 60% right here. There’s additionally a notice that doesn’t really feel Foursquare like, one thing that’s maybe a bit of tar like and undoubtedly extra tough n prepared and missing the poise that we’re used to off the bat. An excellent ten minutes within the glass and it begins to present a bit of although. Loads of up entrance woody notes as is predicted with Foursquare releases. Dry pencil shavings initially melding into cedar cigar tube liners. This then clearly morphs right into a wetter, extra musty oak with a touch of tobacco leaf and moist cardboard. Fairly spice led too with cumin seed, grainy pumpkin seed bread, freshly grated nutmeg, black pepper. There may be additionally an underlying astringent, varnish and lacquer side to the nostril…..maybe a bit of furnishings polish. There’s a waxy, nearly beeswax Clynelish aroma too. Working via the layers sees acquainted key Foursquare notes equivalent to vanilla, milk chocolate, raisins, gentle coconut and combined citrus peel. A touch of molasses and banana bread reveals up. There’s a brightness to that astringent notice that conjures up sharp blackcurrants, stewed stone fruits, and dried tart cranberries. A particular cherry stone aroma with a jammy high quality and an almond like perfumed notice level firmly on the ex bourbon barrels in an enormous manner. Honey and heat orange peel pop up. It actually has calmed down and develop into a layered expertise the extra time that it has been given within the glass.
Mouth: It’s an enormous one. Very oily, very demanding…..it’s screams at you when you’re not paying consideration. Loads of moist oak immediately and though not cuttingly dry it undoubtedly doesn’t shrink back from stealing a bit of moisture as when the liquid slides throughout your tongue it leaves a wake of drying oak behind it…..but additionally a touch of sweetness. That astringency can also be there. Spicy however not overly so…black pepper, a touch of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. A number of tobacco sweetness leads into the mid palate which undoubtedly sweetens up a bit of. Good high quality darkish chocolate with hazelnuts, walnuts and cranberry items. Raisins and candied combined citrus peels…..you’d additionally swear that it was nearly ‘gritty’ like Spanish fig cake. Darkish stewed plums and apples with syrupy juice. Once more the entire anticipated notes are there with vanilla custard plus a extra savoury vanilla….heat coconut candy bread, desiccated coconut and the merest trace of peach vapours however all of those float on that layer of cherry and almond bourbon barrel affect that’s the vessel carrying your entire expertise. Little pockets of honey and salty liquorice pop up now and again because the very lengthy end continues the nice work that has come earlier than it and the oily nature of the rum actually doesn’t need to let go. Addition of espresso on the loss of life of the end with barely bitter sherry and chocolate clinging onto cedar wooden and nuts.
In Conclusion: So there we have now it…..a 12 yr outdated tropically aged ex-bourbon barrel Single Blended Rum…..and it’s one other cracker…..not fairly my favorite of their output however with a bar set this excessive, we have now to be choosy. Blends depend on talent and information to repeatedly create new and totally different expressions while additionally protecting core ranges constant. This ex-bourbon launch is an enormous, brooding and woody affair steeped within the acquainted Foursquare vibe however providing a brand new extension to the conversant in the usage of the heavier column distillate. It’s a massively pleasurable experience the place layers reveal themselves on the nostril and palate they usually hold creating while retaining full coherence throughout the transition. It’s in contrast to different ex-bourbon releases equivalent to 2004, 2005 and 2007. It’s additionally in contrast to the lately launched Nobiliary…although they really feel related…this might be reviewed quickly. With such a wealth of barrel varieties now at Foursquare plus the set up of their new cane crusher and distillations utilizing cane juice, there’s lots extra to come back.
4.5 / 5
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