Foursquare distillery

Introduction to Foursquare Distillery

A distillery with passion for craft

Foursquare is a renowned Barbadian rum distillery, nestled in the heart of the Caribbean island, where traditional craftsmanship meets modern precision. Located on a former sugar plantation in St. Philip, Foursquare has established itself as one of the world’s most respected rum producers, creating spirits that celebrate both the rich heritage of Caribbean rum-making and innovative approaches to distillation and aging.

Under the meticulous guidance of Master Distiller Richard Seale, Foursquare has become synonymous with exceptional quality and transparency in the rum industry, earning the nickname “The Pappy of Rum” among enthusiasts.

Why we have a soft spot for Foursquare

At Vault of Spirits, we cherish distilleries that remain true to their craft while pushing boundaries, and Foursquare exemplifies this philosophy perfectly. What sets Foursquare apart is their unwavering commitment to authentic rum production without additives, artificial coloring, or sweeteners.

Their exceptional cask selection program and masterful blending create complex flavor profiles that showcase the true character of Barbadian rum. Richard Seale’s outspoken advocacy for transparency and authenticity in rum production aligns perfectly with our own values of offering spirits with genuine character and provenance.

The History of Foursquare Distillery

Origin and development

Foursquare Distillery was established in 1996 when the Seale family, with generations of rum-making experience dating back to 1820, acquired and renovated an abandoned sugar factory. The site itself has a history stretching back to 1636 when the original Foursquare plantation was established.

Under the leadership of Richard Seale, the distillery has transformed from a local producer to an internationally acclaimed rum house. Over the years, Foursquare has garnered numerous awards and accolades, including multiple “Distillery of the Year” titles, cementing its position as a standard-bearer for quality rum production.

The people behind

At the helm of Foursquare is fourth-generation master distiller and blender Richard Seale, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the modern rum industry. His dedication to traditional methods, combined with his willingness to innovate and experiment with different cask finishes and aging techniques, has revolutionized the perception of rum as a premium spirit.

The Seale family’s long history in Barbadian rum provides a foundation of knowledge and experience that informs every aspect of production at Foursquare. Richard’s passionate advocacy for authentic rum production without additives has helped establish new standards of excellence throughout the industry.

The Craft and Production

From raw material to finished product

Foursquare’s production begins with carefully selected molasses, primarily sourced from Guyana due to its high quality and rich flavor profile. The distillery employs a unique dual distillation method, utilizing both traditional copper pot stills and modern column stills.

This hybrid approach allows them to create a remarkable variety of distillates, from lighter, cleaner spirits to more robust, character-filled rums. The combination of these distillates during blending gives Foursquare rums their distinctive complexity and depth.

Maturation and aging

Aging takes place in Barbados’ tropical climate, which accelerates the maturation process significantly compared to cooler regions. The intense heat and humidity create ideal conditions for interaction between the spirit and the wood, leading to deeper extraction of flavors and faster evaporation (the “angel’s share”).

Foursquare primarily uses ex-bourbon American oak barrels, but also experiments with a variety of other casks, including ex-Madeira, ex-port, ex-sherry, and ex-cognac. This diverse cask program allows for a wide range of flavor expressions while maintaining the core Barbadian rum character.

Unlike many rum producers, Foursquare is completely transparent about their aging process, proudly displaying true age statements on their bottles without resorting to solera methods or vague terminology.

Selected Products from Foursquare

Exceptional Cask Selection Series – The heart of innovation

This acclaimed series represents Foursquare’s most sought-after releases, featuring limited-edition rums that showcase the distillery’s versatility and mastery. Each release is typically aged between 10-14 years and bottled at higher proof, offering enthusiasts a chance to experience unique cask finishes and experimental approaches.

These expressions range from single blended rums (a blend of pot and column still distillates from the same distillery) to special finishes in port, zinfandel, or sherry casks, each delivering exceptional complexity with notes of tropical fruit, spice, oak, and subtle sweetness.

Foursquare Rum Distillery Probitas – An introduction to house style

Created in collaboration with Hampden Estate of Jamaica, Probitas (known as Veritas in some markets) is a blend of unaged and lightly aged rums that perfectly demonstrates Foursquare’s commitment to quality even in their more accessible expressions. This white rum offers vibrant notes of tropical fruit, coconut, and subtle spice, making it an exceptional choice for classic cocktails while still being complex enough to enjoy neat.

Visit the Distillery

Tours and tastings

Foursquare Distillery welcomes visitors to explore their historic facility in St. Philip, Barbados. Tours include access to the production areas, aging warehouses, and insights into both the traditional and innovative aspects of their rum-making process.

The tasting experience showcases the broad spectrum of Foursquare’s portfolio, from their accessible R.L. Seale’s offerings to their premium Exceptional Cask Selection releases, providing a comprehensive understanding of what makes Barbadian rum special.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Foursquare Distillery?

Foursquare is a rum distillery located in Barbados that produces authentic Caribbean rum without additives or sweeteners. They’ve earned a reputation for exceptional quality and transparency, combining traditional methods with innovative aging techniques to create some of the world’s most respected rums.

Where is Foursquare Distillery located?

Foursquare Distillery is situated in the parish of St. Philip in eastern Barbados. The facility is built on the site of a former sugar factory within a historic plantation dating back to the 17th century, connecting the modern distillery to the island’s rich sugarcane heritage.

What characterizes Foursquare rum?

Foursquare rums are characterized by their authenticity, complexity, and balance. They feature no added sugar, flavors, or colorings—just pure rum aged in carefully selected casks. The house style typically offers notes of tropical fruit, oak, vanilla, and baking spices with a distinctive smoothness and depth that comes from perfect integration of distillate and wood influence.

The distillery is also known for its pioneering work with various cask finishes, true age statements, and higher-proof bottlings that showcase the full character of their spirits.

Where can I buy rum from Foursquare Distillery?

You can find selected bottles from Foursquare Distillery at Vault of Spirits. We carefully curate both their core releases and limited-edition expressions from the Exceptional Cask Selection series, ensuring you have access to these sought-after Barbadian treasures.