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Foursquare ECS IX Empery 2004
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"Still one of best in ECS rum line," one member says, and most agree this 14-year sherry-finished Foursquare is a well-made Bajan. Expect dried fruit, dark chocolate, tobacco and plenty of oak, with coconut and vanilla underneath. The 56% is mostly well integrated, though a few taste a little heat or sulphur that oxidation clears. Many find it very good but not markedly different from other ECS bottlings.
The community says- Dried fruit and chocolate
- Well-integrated 56%
- But: Sulphur note early
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How does Foursquare ECS IX Empery 2004 taste?
Summarized by AI from community reviews.
Rich, oaky sherry-finished Foursquare sipper A high-quality sherry-finished Foursquare with chocolate, dried fruit and oak. Most rate it strongly; the recurring note is that it doesn't break away from the rest of the ECS line.
Aroma profileFoursquare fans who like sherry-finished, oaky sippers
Anyone put off by cask-strength heat or sulphur notes
Style & occasion: Mature & oakySipping neat
Full aroma profile Aroma families · nose & palate · top aromas
Relative to this rum's strongest aroma family
49 of 133 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
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Rated better
Foursquare ECS XII Nobiliary 2005
8.7/10229.99 €
More intense
Romdeluxe Foursquare Wild Series Rum Barbados No. 13 2005
8.6/10
Similar rating, cheaper
Schotman's Barrel Selection Foursquare Barbados Rum 19 2005
8.5/10152.85 €
Nothing for you?
5 more similar rums ›
First choice: 63 of 86 tasters who tried both prefer it.
What does the community say?
133 community reviews
42 selected write-ups on this page, all of them in the RumX app
Top 23% of Barbados rums
Rate it in the app
Positive from 8.0 · Mixed 6.0–7.9 · Critical below 6.0
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
Most helpful positive review
21.10.2025 Retasting and I still like it. ---------- Another good bottling from this company. The nose is fruity with some vanilla and chocolate topped with wonderful oak. The palate is well balanced and complex with fruit and spices, lightly sweet with a tad of chocolate, tobacco and oak. The finish is nice and long with dried fruit, vanilla and some coffee ending on a nice note of oak.
Review by JFehr
Most helpful critical review
Soft, round, subtle sweetness. Coffee and cocoa. I just can't warm up to Foursquare.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
very tasty foursquare, nice coffee & cocoa note! This is definitely daily easy sipping material. Extremely round and drinkable. The port barrel harmonizes very well with the rum without making it sweeter, but brings in nice notes of figs, citrus, tobacco and tannins. Very horny number.
Review by Galli33
Lovely smell and taste of Oak. One sip and your mouth fills up with the taste of oak. Awesome experience 😍 A very good and balanced rum with a great finish! Nose: Intense, Sherry, dried fruits, coconut, prunes, fruity, raisin, caramelized, woody, spicy, oak, vanilla, roasted nuts Mouth: complex, balanced, dry, full bodied, delicious, cognac, tobacco, sweet, caramel, dried fruits, dried dates, raisin, oak, woody, vanilla, dark chocolate, roasted nuts Finish: Medium, dry, tannins, tobacco, dried fruits, prunes, caramelized, oak(barrel), vanilla, roated nuts, dark chocolate, smoky
Review by LukaŽiga
8,7:On the nose, strong barrel impact with citrus fruits and toasted coconut, glue, roasted wood notes with nuts, leather, cocoa, butterscotch and maybe burnt sugar, flowery molasses, bump into our nosetrils. On aeration, sherry finish dried fruits reveal themselves with raisins, prunes, apricots, dark chocolate and some bourbon yellow fruits. 8,7:On the palate, the attack is dry, oaky at first, cognac like, fruity with toasted coconut, dried apricots and raisins, later dates, sweet with roasted wood notes like butterscotch, dark chocolate, spicy with vanilla and cinnamon, pepper, salty, as the molasses is earthy with tobacco, herbaceous.On oxidation, the wood is slightly resinous, bitter. 8,6:The finish is long, dry&tannic, very oaky-furry, cognac notes are strong, the molasses is earthy with tobacco, musty.Fruity and roasted notes from the palate linger on. Edit:26.6.26
Review by cigares
Despite the alcohol, the nose is sweet. Pastries and leather, varnished wood and overripe banana. A slight sourness spoils the party. The finish is average, rather varnish-like. The empty glass gives voice to the tropical fruit. A disappointing rum, with parasitic aromas we could have done without. To be retested with more oxidation. Re-tested with oxidation and all is much better, the fruit is ample and the sulphur has vanished. Three more well-deserved points.
Review by DomM
Nice Foursquare expression of high quality as always. The sherry finish works well with the rum and is not overpowering. Rich dried fruits and nougat/choclate notes dominate alongside wood. On the downside, however, there is just a bit too much of an alcoholic sting on the plate which other FS bottlings just manage better. Therefore, „very good“ but on the lower end of FS ECS bottlings for me.
Review by Johannes
For me personally, a bit too much sherry influence.
Review by zabo
A brief comparison test of the Foursquare Equipoise and the Foursquare Empery. As was to be expected, both are at the usual high level. All in all, however, neither of them breaks out at the top. In the meantime, although I really appreciate Foursquare, my conclusion would be, you know one, you know them all.
Review by Timo Groeger
And another Foursquare, at first sip it could also pass as El Dorado. But again lots of coconut in this rum. Otherwise very roasted again, dark chocolate, vanilla but also some wood here.
Review by Gunnar Böhme "Bauerngaumen" 🤓
Foursquare tasting Rumdepot 25.06.2026
Review by Tim
The Empery, one of the last older FS ECS you can still get at a normal price. It has an inviting nose with lots of caramel and roasted aromas (burnt sugar), sherry is noticeable. On the palate really quite different, as expected and unlike other ECS: very fruity and cognac-like. In the finish more roasted and barrel influences. The last sherry releases (Sovereignty, Magisterium) were overall better.
Review by Chrischi78
Soft nose despite alcohol: pastry, leather, wood, banana. First disturbing varnish notes and mediocre finish. Much better after oxidation - full fruit, sulphur gone. Quite a pleasant boy. But also no top position...
Review by Jakob
Foursquare and sherry just work for me. The wine sweetness is clearly noticeable, plus on the palate there's a slightly sulfurous note, which doesn't bother me here but adds to the complexity. Would love more of this!
Review by TheRhumhoe
An ambivalent Foursquare. The sherry-barrel-driven nose reveals a very sweet fruitiness of prune, raisin and coconut, accompanied by the typical notes of caramel and toffee. Spices, oak and toasted hazelnuts are also perceptible in this concentrated, mellow nose. On the palate, the rum is more peachy, with notes of cognac, tobacco, toast and dried fruit that accentuate the dryness on the palate. The spices (cinnamon, chili, vanilla, pepper) become more persistent, sharpening the profile which, until the first sip, had been fairly mild. The alcohol is well integrated. The finish is rather long, with typical Foursquare markers: toasty, gourmand woodiness, roasted coffee notes, caramel, sweet fruitiness and a few hints of tobacco and cognac that flesh out the roundness of the Bajan style. The influence of cognac adds a little something extra to this friendly Foursquare, which asserts its character despite an assumed sweetness.
Review by Filip Šikula
Another great performance from foursquare. This time finished in a port and sherry cask. Both went perfectly with this Barbados rum, the ex-port mellowing and rounding it all out, while the ex-sherry adds a sweetness beyond the usual level we're used to with ecs. I like it.
Review by Louis Zimmermann
After a long aeration, it offers a rich bouquet of dried fruits, dark chocolate, spices, and wood. An intense but well-balanced attack, offering a mix of flavors (dark chocolate / coffee / cocoa) and a specific touch of indulgence typical of Foursquare. A warm tasting ideal by the fireside.
Review by Schnubbii
Typical Foursquare profile, the sherry influence has a good balance, the alcohol is well integrated. A very tasty and successful Foursquare, but one that does not particularly stand out from other FS bottlings with a sherry finish.
Review by Pavel Spacek
... Foursquare is a distillery from Barbados producing amazing rums for everyday sipping. It’s a rum especially appreciated by rum lovers who are fed up with sugar and looking for a gentle, sweet rum full of coconut, vanilla, chocolate, and caramel. Simply pleasant and not aggressive flavors.
Review by Piotr Ignasiak
Loads of spices and dried fruit, wine influence is felt, as well as a tobacco note. Some sulphur if you smell the glass right after. Good but Redoubtable much more to my taste tonight.
Review by FischeJ
Plenty of wood, burnt caramel and chocolate on the nose. A little alcoholic on the palate, but this quickly subsides. Like the nose, wood, caramel and vanilla come through alongside raisins. Medium length finish.
Review by Portman
Again a typical ECS, without fault. Very harmonious and with exactly the right sweetness.
Review by Jussi Piirainen
On the nose: woody,oaky, vanilla and spices. Raisin. Sherry cask influence. Dried nuts. Foursquare balanced. Taste: I get woody, spices, vanilla at first and then it evolves into more dark chocolate, tobacco kind of notes. Vanilla and raisin notes give nice level of sweetness. Balanced and the abv is integrated very well. Finish: Dark chocolate and oaky notes at first. Little bit of coffee notes. Vanilla notes. Dry fruits. Dry finish. Quality easy sipper. However, this is not a rum that stands out of Foursquare ECS series as in something different, but it does deliver just a little bit more of complexity.
Review by Mirco
Rum Club Switzerland Tasting Set. Thanks Denis for organizing. Lots of maturity and a pleasantly dark aroma. On the nose wood, vanilla, dried fruits and a bit of spice. On the palate round and dry with oak, caramel, spices and a slight bitter note. The 14 years suit it well and give the rum depth.
Review by Rumclub Latvia
Still one of best in ECS rum line
Review by Benoit Mahe
A nose a bit closed and a mouth too much on the wind. It is not unpleasant but not really to my taste.
Review by Richard Krupa
A very nice sample, a leading position for me among foursquare
Review by Jan Lu
Good Foursquare, alcohol not as well integrated as I'm used to from the ECS. Could be more complex.
Review by Nivius
Sulfur, powdered sugar, chocolate .... sulfur
Review by Morgan Garet
1st nose on a light solvent but which takes all the place, after 5 minutes of aeration the nose opens magnificently on the chocolate caramel, on a waxed wood background. Finally come the fruits of which the coconut and an impression of red fruits. In mouth, we attack on a little pepper and wood. As for the nose, then come the greedy notes of vanilla toffee with the dominant caramel. The coconut invites itself to the party as for the nose.the final is long more spicy, woody on the tobacco, the vanilla and the caramel.a top rum.
Review by TheFrenchRefill
You’re never disappointed by a Foursquare 😄
Review by gali jo
Very rich nose and palate, tobacco, wood, spices, leather and lots of dried fruit on a background of spicy coconut. The alcohol is not perfectly integrated which costs it some points.
Review by chu guevara
Alcohol top, not too 'boring' for a Foursquare.
Review by ccajerem
This Empery is one of my favorite Foursquare rums. Typical of this old distillery with its very pastry-like character. The aromas of coconut rock candy and cotton candy are well balanced by a very well integrated alcohol. It's not very complex but it works.
Review by Pavel Ungr, RumRock
Vintage 2004. I rate it 8.5 out of 10, excellent rum that ranks high even among my more than 1,300 ratings.
Review by Michal S
Nice Foursquare, the sherry finish is not my favorite, but here it is relatively OK. The sherry is noticeable in the nose, also wood, vanilla and dried fruit, in the taste chocolate and tobacco join. There are better pieces in the ECS range, but considering further production still absolutely fine.
Review by maxlasvegas
Very complex rum. Tobacco lingers on your teeth and finishes long. This is a bit more earthy than other foursquares I have had. Not my favorite, but I am glad I had it.
Review by Johannes Oscarsson
Well balanced oak, sweet and coconut notes. Strong alcohol on the nose and initial hit but pleasant warmth.
Review by Jesper Petersen
tastes a bit of pepper and chocolate. tends to booze, but can be considered at a price of 700 dkk
Review by Michal Jurka
Sherry is very well present but not overpowering. After some aeration the nose is giving off notes of creamy hazelnut wafers. The taste has nice bittery and acidic notes of dark chocolate and coffee.
Review by Roman Staroń
Perfekcja w smaku i zapachu.
Review by Philip M. 🇧🇪
I was rather disappointed the first few tasting sessions I had with this release. Usually Foursquare is approachable, tasty stuff but this one had a note that didn't work for me. Maybe because of the sherry aging? I did like Sovereignty though 🤔 Curious to see how this one will evolve in the bottle.
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Expert reviews
2 critics scored it, averaging 8.6/10. Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum.
Expert review by The Fat Rum Pirate
Read full review ›When blended and bottled we have three very distinct expressions. A review of Patrimonio will follow soon. For more opinions on Empery (and 2007) have a look at Rum Revelations . My advice on which Foursquare rum to buy? Buy them all. After all Empery means "Absolute Sovereignty" and at...
Expert review by The Secret Rum Bar
Read full review ›
Expert review by Le Blog À Roger
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Expert review by In Spiritus Veritas
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Expert review by Rum Diaries Blog
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Community shelf
402 bottles logged by 294 collectors.
Both drunk and collected.
18% opened, 26 emptied.
What does Foursquare ECS IX Empery 2004 cost?
Community paid 65–139 €.
Current best price: 189.90 € – above the typical community range.
Purchase prices reported by members, not a shop price. Avg. 99 €. Full price & collection history in RX+ ›
402 purchased · 143 tasted · 44 wishlist · as of
Details about Foursquare ECS IX Empery 2004
A Pot & Column Still Rum from Barbados, distilled by Foursquare, at 56%.
Read on in the RumX Guide
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