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Foursquare ECS XIII 2008
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Most people rate this a very good Foursquare, though a few call it just another one and one shrugs "typical Foursquare for better or for worse." Expect the classic house profile: coconut and vanilla up front, plenty of oak and spice, brown sugar and a little tobacco from the ex-bourbon casks. Runs drier and woodier than earlier ECS vintages, with a long finish.
The community says- Gorgeous nose
- Coconut and vanilla
- Keep in mind: Alcohol not integrated
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Auction results: 59–120 € (30 sales in 24 months, incl. buyer's premium, latest 08/2026). How the range is built ›
The look inside the bottle
How does Foursquare ECS XIII 2008 taste?
From community reviews · summarized with AI
Dry, woody, coconut-vanilla Foursquare at full strength Loved by most as a well-balanced, dry-yet-sweet Barbados classic with a gorgeous nose. The recurring gripe: at 60% the alcohol isn't always neatly tucked in.
Aroma profileFans of dry, oaky ex-bourbon Foursquare
People wanting big tropical fruit or low ABV
Style & occasion: Mature & oakySipping neat
Full aroma profile Aroma families · nose & palate · top aromas
Relative to this rum's strongest aroma family
86 of 246 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Which glass for which rum? The community guide ›
Buying advice
Is it right for you?
Yes, if you're after bold, mature, oaky rums for sipping neat.
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What does the community say?
246 community reviews
Rating scale & review checks
On RumX, 7 means “Good” and 8 means “Very good”.
See the full rating guideHow ratings are made and how we check them ›The website shows a selection of written reviews. The distribution also includes ratings without text. All published reviews are available in the RumX app.
49 selected written reviews
The distribution above includes all 246 ratings, including those without text.
Review by Tim
Most helpful positive review
Smells really intense and delicious of fruit, caramel, vanilla and spices, although a little like solvent, which disappears after a while. Super round. This rum is heavy and strong on its own, but absolutely mild with a little water. Goes down like oil. Unfortunately, I don't get as much chocolate here, but lots of caramel/cream toffee, fruit and spices. The bourbon influence is there. Very round, tasty and complex rum, you can't complain much :-)
Review by Pavel Spacek
Most helpful mixed review
... 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 are looking for a smooth, sweet rum full of coconut, vanilla, chocolate, and caramel. Simply pleasant and not aggressive flavors.
Review by Henry Davies
An exceptional rum. The nose is inviting with oak, sugar and apple notes. Mouth has depth, a light spice, with brown sugar and gentle oiliness. Incredible poise and finesse for a rum of this type. The finish is long and enjoyable, with a slowly fading spice, and hints of leather and tobacco. In my view one of the best ECS releases, and certainly the best ex-Bourbon to date.
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
This rum is drier than the 2004, 2005 and 2007. Foursquare definitely delivers this time. A wonderful complex nose that you just want to return to over and over again. The palate is heavy, well balanced and dry with a touch of oak. The finish is long and a bit of smoke as well as fruits.
Review by Stefan Persson
It’s a blend of pot and column distilled rum aged for 12 years in ex-Bourbon barrels. Overall it’s a really great, complex, intense and well balanced rum that’s dry and sweet at the same time.
Review by Joachim Guger
Foursquare in the usual quality and with the usual flavor profile. And that (still) at a fighting price. A bit weaker on the nose and less complex than its brothers with bourbon finish. In the mouth really cool. That's how rum should taste. OK, then there's the '96 Diamond...
Review by HenryL
Above average good! One of the most complex Barbados rums I know and also one of the best ECS Second tasting: Surprisingly light on the nose, but a flavor bomb in the mouth. Pleasantly oily and powerful. Taste wins over smell here.
Review by Tschusikowsky
The nose is great. Everything you would like in a FS. In the mouth, the alcohol is too present and not optimally integrated. Overlays the profile in the mouth. Nevertheless, very digestible and a good FS.
Review by Benoit Mahe
A magnificent nose but a rather simple palate with a short finish. I like it a lot, but it lacks something to make it an excellent Foursquare. For the price, it's still a very good rum that's easy to find.
Review by Insta: spiritofbernard 🇫🇷
Foursquare has established itself as one of the best rum brands in the world, both in my eyes and in those of other enthusiasts. On the nose, the aromatic power is impressive. I would have reduced it a little more, the 60% are very violent, but it's undeniable that this is a great rum and a real treat. Edit March 2023: the rum has micro oxidized and the bitterness of the poorly integrated alcohol has given way to precious wood coated with coconut and sweet tropical fruit. An excellent nectar 🤤
Review by Mirco
Rum Club Switzerland Tasting Set. Thanks Denis for organizing. Solid Foursquare with a classic Barbados profile. On the nose vanilla, wood, a bit of coconut and a light spice. On the palate dry and spicy with oak, caramel and some dark fruit. The 60% are well integrated and give the rum a good presence. Overall a nice, strong Foursquare without big surprises.
Review by Oliver
The nose really makes you want more - classic Foursquare notes in top quality. Lots of spice and wood, quite little fruitiness (apart from the typical coconut note). On the palate, the associations of the nose continue. Wow, the rum is really fun!Excellent release See ECS series of Foursquare!
Review by Rene Pfeiffer
Nice and round. Sweet, vanilla, coconut, spicy, woody, owl and solvent. The alcohol is top integrated. Delicious.
Review by Gunnar Böhme "Bauerngaumen" 🤓
Foursquare tasting Rumdepot 06/25/2026
Review by TheRhumhoe
Un Foursquare dans la pure tradition, jonglant entre la noix de coco, les raisins secs, les agrumes et le boisé gourmand sur le bourbon, avec des touches de caramel, de sucre brûlé et de toffee accompagnées de notes de café, de noix et de chocolat, suivies par une ribambelle d’épices douces (vanille, muscade, cannelle, épices d’hiver). À noter que les arômes de solvant qui viennent après un certain temps d’aération ne sont pas déplaisants. L’attaque en bouche offre un rhum enveloppé de douceur, sous des traits de caramel, de noix de coco, de raisin sec, d’épices douces, de chocolat, de vanille et de noisette, avec un fond de cuir et de bourbon. Il fait preuve de plus de complexité qu’il ne laisse prétendre. L’alcool est bien intégré. La finale est longue, sèche, presque tannique et amère avec des touches de cuir. On ressent l’effet du bourbon avec des notes très douces de vanille, de caramel et de chocolat, mais aussi de noix de coco et de raisin sec sur un lit de pain toasté ou légèrement grillé. Un bon Foursquare, solide représentant de sa distillerie.
Review by Jakob Mmmmhhh
Absolute FS rocket. Lots of caramel, vanilla and wood, but also subtle fruit in the form of coconut. Alcohol not perfectly integrated, otherwise it would be the perfect barbarian.
Review by Stefan L
Foursquare delivers as usual. Today this even exceeds my expectations. - Tasting it again and this is really really good.
Review by Mike H.
Great Foursquare, not much fruit but a lot of wood and spices. Lovely flavor profile.
Review by Alessandro
A round rum with intense taste: in my opinion one of the best of the Foursquare ECS series. Full-bodied and oily on the palate, the Bourbon notes are felt. Alcohol initially present then tends to soften. Good for me.
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Alcohol could be significantly better integrated for me both on the nose and taste.... Overall, it's a bit too toasty, bitter-woody and banned for me. Has it of burnt caramel.... I'm missing the fruity notes of banana, coconut and pineapple here.... Nevertheless, a solid foursquare overall but Holt me not quite off.
Review by Serge
As a non-Foursquare fan, I have to say: really tasty and well made.
Review by Frank
I do find that all the Foursquare rums are very similar, but I still have to try them now and then. Nose: fruity, creamy, spicy. Intense coconut with vanilla and caramel in the foreground, behind that mealy banana with sour pineapple and tobacco. The alcohol stings a bit at first. Overall the familiar profile, for me with too much caramel-coconut. 78 Palate: spicy-woody and strong. Clear associations towards bourbon. Up front again tobacco with some leather and vanilla. Also a hint of coconut. I like it better on the palate, it has more character with a slight smoky note. 82 I stick to it: all the Foursquare rums are interchangeable and almost arbitrary for me. But still well made.
Review by Rowald Sweet Empire
compared to other FS vintages less balanced. too alcoholic. Prefer 2007 + 2005
Review by mto75
I like it better on the nose than on the palate, where the not so well integrated alcohol makes itself somewhat negatively felt. Otherwise, it would have gotten a few more points...
Review by Santo
One of the best releases from Foursquare in the ECS series!
Review by Philip M. 🇧🇪
Currently my favourite vintage release from the ECS series. I compared this alongside vintages 2007 and 2009, and the 2008 was the most fruity, well balanced and complex. Foursquare delivers consistently high quality.
Review by Rhum Mirror 🇧🇪
Vintage 2008-2020 Foursquare aged in bourbon barrels in Barbados and bottled cask strength at 60%. This is a Single Blended rum, meaning it is a blend of pot still and column distilled rums. Nose is round-pastry-like: taste of honey-brown sugar and flambéed banana. The attack on the palate is frank and impressive. Molasses is there, nutmeg and wood. The finish is pleasant but less surprising than the first sip. As often with Foursquare, it's a quality product. But among the brand's recent releases, I prefer the Nobiliary.
Review by Martin Spooner
Wonderfully round in smell. Fruity notes... promising. In taste wonderfully soft, slightly oily with an excellent finish. A really great rum that absolutely hits my taste. A dream.
Review by Portman
Less sweet than some other ECS releases, which lets more woody and citrus notes come through on the palate. Rounded, soft, delicious stuff!
Review by 2up1down
Overrated 🤷🏻♂️
Review by Ysmir
Poured from a bottle that's been open for ~1 year and is mostly full. This is the standard to that all ex-Bourbon Foursquare bottlings should measure themselves against, OB or otherwise. Plenty fruity, plenty woody, and plenty delicious. I hope to see Richard and Co. release an evergreen followup to the vintage ECS releases now that the series is no more.
Review by Tom Buteneers
I rate this just a bit higher than the Doorly’s 14, but would like to taste them side by side. I'm surprised at how balanced it is despite the high alcohol content.
Review by Michal S
For me a bit better than other Foursquare vintages, delicate aroma with lots of pleasant tones and rich taste where everything plays together. I recommend it.
Review by WiltChamberlain
Alcohol not well integrated for me, which prevents a higher rating.
Review by Morgan Garet
Nose "different" from 2004 and 2005, less on the pastry side, pineapple, coconut and varnished wood dominate. On the palate it is also different, very elegant, varnished wood (old furniture), caramel, mild spices are in the foreground then licorice and orange zest bring a little freshness and bitterness at the end of the mouth. Long finish on vanilla and spices.
Review by John Coffey
Sublime nose after good aeration but too peppery on the palate
Review by Alexander Rasch
My RumRatings review from 4 years ago: I compare the 2008 directly with the 2007. On the nose, the 2008 has nice caramel and wood notes. Also roasted vanilla, a bit of coconut and fruit. Compared to the 2007, the nose has stronger caramel notes. The 2007 seems more balanced. But overall very similar. On the palate, the rum first shows a pleasant caramel sweetness with vanilla and light roasted aromas. The alcohol is present and should be taken seriously. Quickly more spice, wood and pepper come in. The finish becomes woodier with more cask influence. But lighter notes also appear. Some fruit and fine spice. The finish is medium length and minimally alcoholic. In comparison, the 2007 also has more balance here, more wood and no pepper. The finish is more harmonious. I find the Foursquare ECS 2008 very successful and the nose is really fun. On the palate, the rum is intense with heavy notes. It is sweeter and at the same time more bourbon comes through than in the 2007. I like the 2007 a bit better because in my opinion it is more balanced and rounder. But the flavor profile is quite similar. Both are very good rums, 2007 is the winner for me.
Review by RumRhush
Undeniably well made! But just another Foursquare.. "I'm in Love with the Coco"
Review by Jacques etdom
On the nose really the impression of being on Plantation XO. Lots of coconut. On the palate the same impression with more power and a very oily side. The finish on notes of grape. A bit disappointed, not worth all the series like Isonomy, Sovereignty, Indélébile, etc...
Review by Roman Nussbaumer
Very good rum. The nose is amazing. You could smell it for hours. Currently one of my favorite Foursquare. Can be well drunk neat. With a splash of water it becomes a bit softer and also fits very well.
Review by David
Less good integration of the alcohol and less complex than the 2007.
Review by Moss Cail
High 8/Low 9 - from a funky rum lover. I don't think I have had more than a couple "bourbon profile" rums that rank this high. Without bringing more fermentation flavors I am not sure how they could make it better. Subtle sweetness, rich and complex, it is a great sipper.
Review by Pierangelo Pianta
Classic profile, pleasant, long.
Review by Lupo Alberto
I report from an old review of mine: The ECS represent the unique and rare offerings of the Foursquare Rum Distillery that Richard has hand-selected: his personal projects are only released when he considers them to be of exceptional quality. These are unique expressions in their kind, available only for a limited time, and they show truly unique approaches both to blending and aging Rum, which has led to a steady series of awards: • 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020 ISC Rum Producer of the Year • 2016, 2018 & 2019 IWSC Rum Producer of the Year • 2018 ISC “Supreme Champion Spirit” – Foursquare Mark VI “2005” • 2021 ISC “Supreme Champion Spirit” – Foursquare Mark XV “Redoutable” To quote Warren Bobrow: “To drink a Foursquare Rum, you just need the desire to taste some of the most exquisite things money can buy..." Rum type: Traditional Origin: Barbados Strength: 60° Aging: Blend of rums aged 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels; the rums used come from both pot still and column, and the Rum is bottled without cold filtration In the glass it appears a beautiful amber color, very deep, while on the nose it reveals scents of vanilla, tropical fruit, coconut, tobacco... It's a pleasure just to linger smelling its effluvia. On the palate it is powerful, strong with its 60°, spicy, with pleasant notes of wood, tobacco, vanilla... A sweet, full, satisfying epiphany, with a long finish fading into a sweet and spicy aroma, a fitting completion for such a masterpiece. Given the strength, I thought I would have to add some water later to better perceive the notes, but then I changed my mind, it would have been almost sacrilege. What can I say... An apotheosis, a symphony of delicious sensations. I know, it has a very high strength, it's hard to find and has a not exactly popular price, but it fully deserves your attention. If you get the chance to get your hands on it, don't hesitate, and give it a nice place in your cabinet: in mine it already has the place of honor, along with the other ECS ^_^
Review by Kryštof Skrbek
An absolutely reference-worthy Foursquare for me. On the nose and palate, coconut and vanilla dominate – typical for FS, but here they appear in remarkable abundance and clarity. The alcohol is excellently integrated and makes the rum extraordinarily approachable despite its strength. Overall, this is a perfectly balanced rum – highly recommended for beginners as well due to its accessibility.
Review by Ian Gilman
Not the best way to taste this after a couple cocktails, but next to 2011. Fantastic diversity between the two. This is fruity and buttery where the 2011 is spicy. A wonderful bottle.
Review by Benjamin Perez
Really a very nice discovery, I really recommend this rum!
Review by Johan R
Smooth och balanserad med en fin eftersmak.
Review by Roman Staroń
Due to the high strength, it’s good to test the rum after a heavy meal. Rum worth trying and coming back to but caution is advised due to the strength 😉
This selection contains no written reviews in this rating range.
Expert reviews
4 critics scored it, averaging 9.0/10. 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 ›Foursquare Rum Distillery 2008 delivers everything it promises on the nose and then some more. Without samples to hand I wouldn't like to rank and rate the series. This is no disappointment. It might even be the best example of this "expression" we have had so far. Another instant classic...
Expert review by New World Rum Club
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Expert review by Rum nagykövet
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Expert review by Rum Runner Labs
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Foursquare ECS XIII 2008 at live auctions
A bid is not a final price: the house sets the buyer's premium, shipping and any customs duty.
All live auctions ›Community shelf
751 bottles logged by 510 collectors.
Both drunk and collected.
17% opened, 54 emptied.
What does Foursquare ECS XIII 2008 cost?
Community paid 62–115 €.
Current best price: 299.00 € – above the typical community range.
Purchase prices reported by members, not a shop price. Avg. 101 €. Price history with 30 auction results in RX+ ›
+6 additions in the last 3 months.
Additions per month over the last 12 months; dark bars: the last 3.
751 purchased · 257 tasted · 144 wishlist · as of
Details about Foursquare ECS XIII 2008
A Pot & Column Still Rum from Barbados, distilled by Foursquare, at 60%.
Read on in the RumX Guide
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