Swell de Spirits Foursquare Private Garden N°10 (Versus) 2006

Swell de Spirits bottled this Foursquare from the 2006 vintage as part of its Private Garden range, a 17 year single cask drawn at cask strength. Foursquare, Richard Seale's no-additives St Philip estate, blends pot and column still rum, and this Versus release shows a side of the distillery well away from its usual coconut signature.

Matured in ex-bourbon oak, it turns floral and juicy: almond, vanilla, honey and a varnish note on the nose, then honey, citrus and a strong, spirited palate, finishing on pepper, chocolate, nuts and dried fruit. The mango, citrus and honey replace the familiar coconut, giving it a bright, perfumed character that drinkers find surprising for Foursquare. At 59% the strength is real but the elegance and fruit carry it. An unusual, floral single cask for those who know the estate's standard profile and want a fresh, juicy variation.