Foursquare S.B.S 2013

Bottled by 1423 under its Single Barrel Selection, this is a 2013 vintage Foursquare aged ten years and finished in Port casks. Foursquare is the critics' darling of Barbados, double-retort pot blended with twin-column Coffey under Richard Seale's strict no-additives stance. The S.B.S line is transparent and detail-driven, and this Port-finished single cask offers a softer, fruitier face of the house at a friendly strength.

Distilled from molasses on pot and column stills and matured in ex-bourbon oak before its Port finish, it keeps the recognisable Bajan core while gaining a wine-cask lift. The aroma carries vanilla, oak, red fruit and leather, the palate brings chocolate, vanilla, dried fruit and tropical fruit, and the finish turns to coconut, milk chocolate and a nutty edge. The classic coconut, vanilla and spine of the distillery shows clearly, the Port adding a noticeable berry sweetness. Flavourful yet easy, it makes a relaxed sipper that holds its 52% comfortably.