Where Foursquare's own beloved Exceptional Cask Selection (ECS) series has been indicated as drawing to a close, having proudly debuted 31 releases, yet another cult followed Foursquare series lives on - that is the black bottle Velier and Foursquare collaboration series, which today counts 13 releases (as of "Supernum", and double counting the two variants of the "Destino").

How many more will we see from this collaboration? Who knows? We'll be lucky if it gets up to 31! Yet, then again, if anyone thought that Barbados' superstar rum-maker was about to rest on its laurels without having something in the works that will replace the ECS range, then you've sorely taken Foursquare for granted and have clearly underestimated them and their chief Richard Seale. All that means to say, one way or the other, there's going to more exciting things in store where Foursquare is concerned - we're willing to put our money where our mouth is and say that Richard Seale has much more left to say (and many more new vocabulary words to teach us)!

Now, to the bottle at hand - the Velier Foursquare Indomitas - this is the 12th release from collaboration between the foremost rum bottler, the Italian importer and distributor Velier, and of course Barbados' Foursquare, and features a 15 year old rum that's double matured, with 6 years in ex-Bourbon and 9 years in ex-Cognac, that's then bottled at 62% ABV. More specifically it's a blend of a parcel of only ex-Bourbon  matured rums (therefore single matured), with a parcel of double matured rums that's ex-Bourbon and ex-Cognac. It was distilled in 2010, and released in 2025 (although we only managed to get a taste of it in 2026). 

Now, something about the Velier Foursquare Indomitas immediately stands out. If you've been following the series, you'll know that whilst everyone has their personal picks (we the love Absolutio, for instance), its almost unanimously agreed upon that the best thus far have been the Velier Foursquare 2006 and the Velier Foursquare Sassafras - and they share something in common with the Velier Foursquare Indomitas. That's right, they're all a Double Maturation of ex-Bourbon and ex-Cognac. Now of course, they vary in terms of the split of the maturation times between ex-Bourbon and ex-Cognac, as well as their total age, although the 2006 and Sassafras are both distilled in 2006 which differs from the Indomitas' 2010 distillation, and so whilst it would be cool to see a three-part continuity, it's worth pointing out that beyond the Bourbon and Cognac Double Maturation, there isn't much more in terms of semblances between the 2006 and Sassafras, as well as the Indomitas. 

All things considered, does that therefore mean that the Velier Foursquare Indomitas is destined to be one of the new greats? Let's find out!

Rum Review: Velier Foursquare Indomitas, 62% ABV

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep Copper

Aroma: Opens rich and warm, with heaps of brown sugar, a waxy sheen of lacquered wood, and then those signature Foursquare hallmarks of sarsaparilla, vanilla cream, and other herbal, earthy and root-y spices of angelica and licorice. This warm undertone is paired with a more lifted and confectionary head of root beer float. More on herbal cough syrup, with then a deeper core of juicy black grapes, plums and prunes, accented by a savoury burnish of burnt brown sugar and creme brulee crusts. Incredible aromatic and unmistakably Foursquare.

Taste: Medium-bodied, super rich and creamy, immediately delivering a satisfying, broad punchiness that recedes to a gentle pepperiness of szechuan peppers. Confectionary and sweet herbal tones follow suit, with those earthy spice roots of angelica, licorice and sarsaparilla continuing to show up, coaxed into a body of brown sugar, root beer and cola cubes, with then that vanillic undertone. That savouriness of burnt brown sugar serves as a mid-layer, with then all these juicy fruits of green and black grapes, gooseberries, as well as dark fruits of plums and prunes that begin to surface as the sweet earthiness recedes. There's a touch of rancio here as well. Surprisingly neither dry or oaky, with a good juiciness to it.

Finish: That savoury bitterness of burnt brown sugar and earthy medicinal roots carry through the finish, laced with a bed of sweet herbal notes. A continuation of the body, with here a touch more of that herbal root-y bitterness, yet without poking through the richer brown sugar. Those dark fruits of plums and prunes follow along the long and seamless finish. Still not particularly dry or oaky, with just that classic licorice bitterness. Deep warmth thereafter, touch peppery, with a lingering bit of rancio, brown sugar, and licorice herbal earthiness.

My Thoughts

Altogether a solid showing from Foursquare, with the Bajan rum-maker's signature profile clear and distinct, with all of that richness and classic character, that's then given an undertone of that fruity sweetness and rancio from the Cognac casks. It's really aromatic, shows good balance where the flavours are all vividly expressed and with good vigour and energy, as well as are given the space and body to be fully developed. The flavours are pronounced and forward, with a really satisfying punchiness that's captivating and broad without being overpowering or sharp, and the herbal tones well matched against the body's more confectionary richness. Something has to be said about how given its stellar age, it retains its body and juiciness really well, never coming off dry or oaky, easily averting that gripping tannic quality, which were traits that came through to some degree with the 2006 and Sassafras. It's plush and supple, really creamy and generous, and altogether a great tasting experience from nose to finish, with very splendid features of textures, flavours and intensities, all composed in a manner that shows finesse and boldness, whilst keeping to its hallmark typicity. 

In comparison to its Double Maturation ex-Bourbon and ex-Cognac siblings, the Velier Foursquare 2006 and Sassafras (judging from memory, for what it's worth!), the Indomitas shows more depth and pacing, where it digs deeper and widens out more broadly, with also more flavour development compared to the 2006, and more moderation compared to the Sassafras. As mentioned, it's also not as dry or oaky as its predecessors, keeping very well that juiciness and richness of the body. The 2006 feels somewhat shorter and less saturated, and the Sassafras more compact and intense. That said (based on previous tasting notes I'd written), the Cognac influences do show up more in the 2006, which makes sense on paper given that it only had 3 years in ex-Bourbon and then 7 years in ex-Cognac (compared to the Indomitas with double the length in ex-Bourbon), whilst the Sassafras overall struck me as being incredibly intense and almost like a rush of flavours, which does have an effect of compressing the tasting experience, where the Indomitas felt more unhurried and measured, with a broadness that feels more lengthy.

Whilst I would have liked to see more of that Cognac quality come through with the Indomitas, I actually enjoyed this the most compared to the 2006 and Sassafras, with really well developed flavours and better pacing. That said, if you're going by a measurement of what knocks you right out, then the Sassafras is probably still going to be your favourite - and in all fairness, its intensity is certainly something to behold.

Kanpai!

@111hotpot