Foursquare Diadem 12 Year Old

This is the second exclusive bottling for the Whisky Exchange from Barbados’ Foursquare distillery. Named Diadem – a type of crown or headband worn by monarchs as a sign of royalty – this rum is definitely a crown jewel. A single traditional blended rum( from pot and column stills), this has been aged for 12 years in ex Bourbon and ex Madeira casks.

The Madeira brings a wonderful fruit and nuttiness to the rum with notes of prune, orange rind and plenty of dried fruit. The bourbon cask gives sweet nutmeg and powdered spices with vanilla and buttered popcorn. The palate is rich and intense with a delightful vein of acidity that opens up the palate to bring the ripe banana and pineapple to the fore, alongside red cherries and linseed oil with a hint of green walnut on the finish. This rum needs time in glass to allow it to open up and develop. Just over 2000 bottles have been produced.