Tamosi Yon 18YO Single Cask Barbados Foursquare Rum (56.7%)

This bottling is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Yon, an Arawak woman whose courage led to a landmark legal victory – the earliest documented successful litigated case for manumission in 17th-century Barbados. For the first time in 370 years we are bringing her story into the broader public. Her story is one of profound agency, resilience against systemic injustice, and a fight that makes her a pioneering figure in the island’s history. The name Yon is a nickname that is derived from the Arawak word Ayon, meaning high, and would have referred to her high character and moral standing. 

We chose a uniquely fruity Foursquare 2006 to pair with Yon’s tale. With 14 years of tropical ageing and another 4 years (just shy of 5) of continental ageing both in ex-bourbon casks. Bottled at a respectable cask strength of 56.7% abv.

TASTING NOTES:
NOSE: Leather wax, varnish, hard boiled sweets, werther’s, sparkling mineral water, marzipan, quince jam and uncooked buttery pastry in no particular order.
PALATE: The entry has all of the rummy goodness we come to expect from the Foursquare distillery with those lovely sweet wood tannins. This quickly gives way to the initial swell, and with it comes a basket of red fruit and some subtle elegant floral notes. On the swallow, the second swell arises from the back taking over the whole mouth with cherries and forest fruits. This then evolves into a dance between those same fruits and marzipan with some very subtle hints of bitterness peeking in occasionally to round things off in a medium to long finish. It definitely feels a little weightier than the abv suggests and its a more rewarding undulating journey as a consequence. The words volatility, evolution and deliciousness come to mind.