Foursquare - Touchstone - 14 years - 61%
The Foursquare Rum Distillery (and Heritage Park) is strategically located in the south of Barbados, an island globally renowned for the exceptional quality of its rums. This distillery belongs to the prestigious Seale family, who have preserved for five generations an authentic and ancestral expertise in the art of rum distillation, a know-how passed down since 1820. It is one of the oldest and most respected rum trading houses in Barbados, with a rich history closely linked to local culture and the development of this iconic drink.
At the time, Reginald Leon Seale, faced with restrictions from Barbados' excise laws, could not sell rum directly to consumers. His innovative vision was to establish a distribution company in Bridgetown in the early 1900s, thus giving birth to the iconic brand R. L. Seale. From 1962 to 1993, the house expanded with renowned rums such as ESA Field, Alleyne Arthur, as well as iconic references like Old Brigand, Taylor's Falernum, and Doorly's – thereby broadening a diverse and respected portfolio. To optimize its presence, ESA Field and Old Brigand focused on the local market, while Doorly became a major export player.
In 1995, the Seale family, under the visionary leadership of Sir David Seale, acquired an old sugar factory whose main building dates back to 1636. This historic site was transformed into a modern distillery, now known as the Foursquare Distillery. The facility is equipped with a three-column still, dedicated to light and elegant rums, as well as a state-of-the-art copper pot still for richer and more complex blends, all distilled from fermented molasses in small batches (about 112 barrels). Tropical aging takes place in small American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels, stored in large open-walled warehouses, most barrels coming from a distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee – a hallmark of quality and authenticity.
Touchstone belongs to Foursquare's prestigious Exceptional Casks range. This rare blend subtly marries old rums distilled in pot still and column still, benefiting from 14 years of aging in a particularly demanding tropical climate. The rum patiently matures in ex-Bourbon and ex-Cognac barrels, imparting rich aromas, unique depth, and remarkable complexity that will delight the most passionate connoisseurs of exceptional rum.
