Foursquare 2003 Destino Released by Velier 14-Year

Foursquare Rum Distillery Foursquare Destino Single Blended Rum. Distilled 2003, released 2017. Aged 14 years in the tropics. Double maturation: 12 years madeira (2 barrels) followed by 2 years bourbon. Bottled at 61% ABV (barrel proof). And you get all that just from the front label :)

This rum was named for the "destiny" of Richard Seale and Luca Gargano collaborating together. There are/were over 5,000 bottles total, including the special 70th anniversary and US editions (forthcoming, as of this writing), but I don't believe it will ever be in my budget :(

I got crap tasting notes: "Oh, just lovely :) big oak, big fruit." There was a lot going on, and I was trying to absorb what Mr. Seale was saying during the tasting. But it certainly was one of the best rums I've ever had. I just LOVE the madeira cask-aged rums from Foursquare :)

For better tasting notes and even more background, read Wes' take here: http://thefatrumpirate.com/foursquare-rum-distillery-destino-velier-70th-anniversary-release

A good friend of mine went to Milan, Italy and asked if he could bring something back for me. I noticed there was a store in Milan that carried the Foursquare Destino rum, so I asked him to bring me a bottle. He did, and here is my review.

As I say in my profile, "I tend to prefer aged rums on the sweeter side" and "I'm generally not a big fan of bourbon/whisky barrel aging". This rum is not sweet, and it has a considerable amount of Madeira/Bourbon aging.

I started by tasting this alongside the Foursquare Criterion, which I rated a 7 (I'm not a huge fan of that). I prefer the Criterion, as it wasn't quite as overpowered by other spirits.

Smells and tastes very dry, with Madeira, bourbon, oak, and spice.

It's not that this rum is too strong - I LOVE the Ron Esclavo XO Cask at 65%abv, along with the Tres Hombres Captain's Choice. But this is just too dry for my palette, and has too much Madeira and Bourbon added in that mask the rum goodness (in my humble opinion).

I realize some people really like that, but it's just not my style.

Full aroma but not somehow special. First surprise and smile on your face will come after first taste...
Smooth, "sweet" and full body. Nice peach and honey tones perfectly combined with dryer higher alcohol base. Long aftertaste is helping you to enjoy your rumorgasm 😍 Only one minus point I can find is higher price and bad availability

Rarer than unicorn poop, but if you're ever lucky enough to taste some, let alone own a bottle - this is the absolute pinnacle of modern rum making.
Aged 12 years in Madeira casks, then a further 2 in old rum casks, the range of flavours that hits you, from the nose to the finish is simply divine.

Despite the weighty 61% it's as smooth as it is delicious.

Perfection in a bottle

Really one of the top 3 rums I've ever had. Phenomenal. Insanely oily/thick, has to be a huge portion of pot still. Deeply molasses flavored, a touch of that pot still character to balance it, perfectly balanced. Wonderful.

FS always deliver high standard and the Destino is another fantastic rum. I must admit that I like the full maturation on Bourbon casks a bit more, like the ECS 2008.

I realle liked the 2006 and triptych but this one has the edge over them. Perfect fruity/dry balance with empyreumatic notes in a everlasting finish. Bravo!

A really great rum. Amazing. Plenty of woodiness and a strong burn at the end. Sublime

Got a sample of this from the whisky exchange and it is amazing. A nose full of chocolate, raspberry, plum, cookie dough, caramel, floral, coffee, vanilla, and burnt pineapple. A rich and creamy palate of toffee, molasses, raspberries, coconut, and pepper. A long spicy finish of chocolate, raspberries, bananas, and coconut.

Im direkten Vergleich mit dem schon sehr guten2006 sowie Principia und Tryptich lässt dieser Wahnsinnstropfen Alles meilenweit im Regen stehen. Hier hat Luca mal wieder sein bestes Händchen gehabt,er ist so gut dass man hier 12 Punkte vergeben könnte.Trotz über 60% angenehm zu trinken.die alkoholische Schärfe kommt im ersten Moment als Süsse Shot rüber -genial und dann die absolute Aromenbombe,im direkten Vergleich mit einem Velier Diamond 99,den neuen El Dorado rare Collection Abfüllungen Skeldon und Albion welche an sich auch schon der totale Wahnsinn sind, hebt der Destino für mich zumindest noch mal darüber ab.
Nicht umsonst sind jetzt kurz nach Ausgabe selbst in Ebay kaum welche zu kriegen und wenn dann fast der doppelte Ausgabepreis,aber der Rum ist wirklich sein Geld wert.
Solch ein Rum kommt wirklich nicht alle Tage.