The World’s Best Rum According To The 2024 IWSC Judging

The International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) has awarded the 2024 Rum Trophy to R L Seale Distilling, Foursquare 14 YO Equipoise Rum. The rum was judged the world’s best rum. The IWSC, the oldest spirits competition in the world, holds one of the largest yearly spirits judging and is arguably the most prestigious spirits competition worldwide.

R L Seale Distilling, Foursquare 14 YO Equipoise Rum, 61% ABV, 750 ml

The Foursquare Distillery was established in 1996 by the Seale family, whose rum-making heritage dates back to 1820. It is located on a former sugar plantation in St. Philip, Barbados.

Richard Seale, a fourth-generation distiller, is the driving force behind Foursquare Distillery. Known for his commitment to traditional rum-making techniques and his innovative approach to creating high-quality rums, Seale has positioned Foursquare as a leading producer in the industry.

Foursquare Distillery uses both pot and column pot and column distillation and avoids additives like caramel or sweeteners. Both molasses and sugar cane juice are used in the production process. The rum ages in various casks, including ex-bourbon, Sherry, and wine, to create complex and layered flavor profiles.

Foursquare rums feature nuanced complexity, balance, and high quality. Below is a general description of the aroma and taste profile commonly found in Foursquare rums.

Foursquare rums typically exhibit a rich and complex nose with multiple layers of aromas. These aromas include vanilla and caramel, dried fruits such as raisins, figs, and apricots, baking spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and a noticeable presence of well-seasoned oak. The rums typically show subtle floral and herbal notes, although their intensity can vary dramatically depending on the specific expression.

On the palate, these rums are smooth and full-bodied. The dominant notes are caramel and toffee, which provide sweetness and texture. There are additional dried fruit notes of raisins, figs, dried apricots, and slightly bitter dark chocolate, coffee, and spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, well-seasoned oak, and vanilla. These flavors add a nuanced complexity that nicely balances the sweetness, spice notes, and slight bitterness of the chocolate and coffee flavors.

The finish on Foursquare rums is typically long, with a subtle sweetness and lingering notes of seasoned oak, spices, and caramel.

The IWSC Judging Panel described the Foursquare 14 YO rum as featuring:

Enticing aromas of leather and olive oil greet the senses, leading to a compelling blend of citrus peel, cinnamon, oak, dark chocolate, and nutmeg. Plummy, spiced fruit dances on the palate upon a soft, sweet mouthfeel. A dry, tangy finish lingers, revealing layers of caramel, banana bread, and tobacco. It is luxurious and long-lasting.

Foursquare produces some of the world’s greatest rums, and the 14 YO Equipoise is easily among the best. Under the steady hand of Richard Seale, Foursquare has joined the top ranks of rum producers and, in the process, helped to restore Barbados as a major rum producer and a center of rum distillation innovation. If you are a fan of rum, Foursquare’s rums are well worth exploring.