Foursquare The Real McCoy 3 Years

The Real McCoy is Foursquare's collaboration with Bailey Pryor, named for the Prohibition-era rum-runner, and this is its youngest expression at three years from the St Philip estate. Foursquare blends double-retort pot still rum with twin-column Coffey distillate and bottles without any added sugar, colour or flavour, so even at this entry level the rum is transparent about what it is.

Matured briefly in ex-bourbon oak, it keeps a pale, lightly aged character, with banana and vanilla up front, a volatile glue note, and earthy, grassy hints over a touch of musty wood. The palate is syrupy and a little rough, the finish carrying caramel and vanilla against some young-rum heat. This is honest Foursquare DNA at an everyday price, a clean unsweetened mixer that shines in a daiquiri or punch, with just enough character to sip for those inclined.