Foursquare Redoutable, Exceptional Cask Selection

Foursquare Rum Distillery’s Redoubtable, the 15th release in the Exceptional Cask Series, follows the highly sought-after 1998 edition that initially flew under the radar. According to Richard Seale, this expression succeeds last year’s Nobiliary, with “Redoubtable” meaning formidable or very strong.

Inside the bottle, Redoubtable is a Single Blended Rum, distilled on both Column and Pot stills. It combines 14-year-aged rum from ex-Madeira casks and ex-bourbon casks, bottled at 61% ABV Cask Strength in September 2020.

In the glass, Redoubtable appears dark brown with a distinct orange hue. The nose offers vanilla, coconut, sweet sherry notes, and a zesty touch of lime juice, balanced by oak and a hint of spice.

On the palate, the rum is lighter, drier, and more tannic than expected. The initial sweet, sherry-like aromas transition to a richer, spicier profile with dark fruits, red wine, black pepper, and integrated oak. Mid-palate introduces a blend of dark fruits, tobacco, and a pleasant tartness resembling gooseberry or cranberry, alongside notes of raisin and dark chocolate.

The finish, despite the high ABV, is easy-going, gently fading with classic Foursquare elements of vanilla, coconut, and well-balanced wood notes. Redoubtable, another exceptional release from the ECS, showcases Foursquare’s mastery.