Aroma visualization from community tastings
Foursquare ECS XXII Touchstone 2008
Drier and woodier than most people expect from Foursquare — this leans away from the usual coconut-vanilla toward oak, spice, bitter chocolate and orange peel, with the ex-cognac casks adding a dried-fruit, grape edge. At 61% it needs air, or a few drops of water, to open up. Loved by fans, though several say it's less exciting than other ECS bottles.
The community says- Well-integrated 61%
- Cognac-cask depth
- But: Hot without water
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The look inside the bottle
How does Foursquare ECS XXII Touchstone 2008 taste?
Aggregated from 141 community reviews.
Dry, woody, spicy Foursquare with cognac edge Well-made and clearly Foursquare, with a cognac-driven dry, spicy side. Fans call it complex; a fair few find it hot, a bit bitter, and less thrilling than other ECS releases.
Foursquare fans who want the drier, cognac-finished side
People chasing soft, coconut-sweet Foursquare or avoiding heat
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
Which glass for which rum? The community guide →
54 of 141 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Recommendation
Your next rum
One difference each to this rum.
Rated better
Velier Foursquare Raconteur 2006
8.8/10185 €
More intense
Foursquare ECS XXV Equipoise 2009
8.4/10100 €
Similar rating, cheaper
Foursquare ECS XXI 2010
8.5/1087 €First choice: 60 of 69 tasters who tried both prefer it.
How is Foursquare ECS XXII Touchstone 2008 rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 8.5 sits in the “Very good” band. 98% of tasters rate it Good or better; only 0% rate it below average. See the full rating guide →
Community voices
What does the community say?
91% rate it 8 or higher. 47 selected write-ups from 141 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
Review by Stefan Persson
Most helpful positive review
Overall a great Foursquare ECS rum. Mr Richard Seale have done it again. I tasted it the Swedish importer’s, Lars Renbjer’s, stand at the Stockholm Beer & Spirits Fair 2023. Touchstone is a molasses based double-aged pot- and column blended rum aged in ex-Bourbon and ex-Cognac casks for 14 years. It consists of two components. The first component, a 2008 ex-bourbon aged distillate which was filled in ten former Cognac Camus casks in 2020, then 12yo, to mature for almost 3 years more. The second component was aged for 5 years in ex-Bourbon casks and 9 more years in ex-Cognac casks.
Review by mto75
Most helpful mixed review
in the first impression on the nose already very fierce oak and tannins (have just also two freshly sawn oak slats here for the expansion of the rum cabinet, which are quite good for reference). With a bit of standing time, caramel and a nice butterscotch note come in. Spicy on the palate, coffee, but unfortunately quickly fades into a rather bitter note (tannins, tannins that were already so dominant on the nose?). For me, this ECS bottling is too unbalanced. A second chance there is then soon again ...
Review by crazyforgoodbooze
Round thing but no over highlight FS. It has something of dark chocolate with orange zest and a little black pepper. I think the cognac barrel comes out more harmoniously here than in the Dominus in comparison.
Review by Leo Krüper
Solid FS. Not worth 150€.
Review by zabo
Tasted at the Pueblo del Ron Nuremberg 2024 trade fair. I also had to try this one, as I've been putting off my sample for some time. However, as I was able to take a bottle with me for 102€, I simply tried it on the spot. A good ESC that ranks in the middle of the ECS bottlings. Edit: It also makes a solid impression as a mixer.
Review by BTHHo 🥃
Give this rum time to breathe and you will be rewarded with a captivating experience that will continue to develop for a long time!
Review by Frank
Nice "once all" tasting with friends... quick while I still have senses.... Nose: caramel, some chocolate, coconut. Pleasant and classic Foursquare. Nothing outstanding in my view, but usual good quality. 8,4 Palate: round and coconut, soft, caramel, floral. Again, solid and clearly Foursquare. That's about as good as it gets. But it doesn't have to be. Just Foursquare. 8,4
Review by Tim
Dieser Rum liegt schwach auf der Karamell-/Fruchtseite, dafür stärker auf Holz, Gewürz, Bitterschokolade und Leder. Wobei an der Nase neben Orange eine weitere markante Frucht vorhanden ist, könnte Apfel sein. Nur im Abgang kommt etwas Karamell und süße Frucht für mich hinzu, weshalb der Touchstone bis dahin zu unausgewogen für mich ist, um ihn in Richtung 9/10 zu bewerten. Nichtsdestotrotz hochwertig!
Review by Kevin Sorensen 🇩🇰
#4299 14.10.2023 sitting at home raxing after a tough training yesterday and a trip across the border for our monthly shopping today. Another nice release but I think the prices have gone spiralling and I suspect many out there buy a lot to sell online afterwards. Nicely balanced almost subtle release. Fruity and fresh. The palate is also fruity with a nice floral touch. The finish is medium to long and fruity. Draws really nice curtains in the glass. The empty glass has a light smoky note and faint chocolate.
Review by Timo Groeger
Store visit Rhum Attitude Brussels May 2025. Taken along as a sample. A really solid Foursquare. The nose is predominantly spicy and woody, with a hint of leather. On the palate, in addition to wood and spices, there is also some cognac and bourbon.
Review by Basti
In direct comparison with the Isonomy, the nose is much more restrained and one-dimensional. Coconut, vanilla, spices and wood are discreetly present. The palate is more on the woody and spicy side, even slightly bitter with some leather.
Review by Jakob
Typische Foursquare-Aromen treffen auf kräutrige Tabak- und Schokoladennoten. Mir fehlt insgesamt etwas die letzte Finesse, auch die prägnanten grünen Aromen wecken bei mir subjektiv keine Begeisterungsstürme. Qualitativ gibt es aber nichts auszusetzen, der Alkohol ist für mein Dafürhalten angenehm integriert und schafft eine gute Süffigkeit.
Review by F.L.O.
Foursquare halt :-) Wie immer bodenständig, würzig, gut eingebundener Alkohol. PLV ist auch in Ordnung. Nachtrag: mit einer ECC Abfüllung >50% macht man in der Regel nie etwas falsch. Gilt auch für diesen hier. Keine Änderung an der Bewertung,
Review by ilRummista
Un ottimo ECS. Naso molto interessante, fruttato e profondo. Al palato sa essere molto deciso ma anche delicato. L’invecchiamento in botti ex cognac lo ha ingentilito quanto basta. Uno dei miei ECS preferiti tra gli ultimi usciti!
Review by abaker-rum
You start with a caramel, vanilla, fruity, and leather nose. The taste is immediately peppery, with wood, spice, and caramel. The finish is long with the continuation of the pepper, spice and caramel.
Review by Righrum
Edit June 24: at the end of the bottle, I raised the overall score because it has revealed as a great sipper and one of the best ECS I've tried. Anyway, undeniably Sassafras is still better as a FS with cognac finish. Excellent finish, and the glass the day after is fantastic. On the other hand, nose is a bit too "standard" and the cognac finish increases the perception of alcohol while not adding as much as I expected having tied sassafras, which is definitely better. A good foursquare indeed, it might deserve an higher overall score, but the comparison with other foursquare made me keep my score a bit lower.
Review by Steffmaus🇩🇰
Waited for some time to try this. I find it to have long legs on the glass, and a nose of chocolate and dried fruits. I'm getting deep notes of berries, vanilla, dark chocolate, and hints of spicyness
Review by Alex1981
Eher unspektakulär, schwache Nase und ziemlich scharf am Gaumen. Hätte wahrscheinlich eher aus dem Fass gemusst… Im Vergleich zu anderen ECS am unteren Ende der Skala und wenig typischer FS Charakter. //update: bleibe bei den Punkten, der zu starke Fasseinfluss gefällt mir hier nicht so.
Review by Beau de Vries
Honestly for me one of the most dissapointing Foursquare's so far. This was better 🤣
Review by Fuwi
Massive nose, pleasantly deep aromas. In the mouth first sweetness, until quite broad, spicy flavors spread. Pleasantly heavy, sufficiently complex and wonderfully soft notes, the 61% ABV are mMn great integrated. No highlight for the birth of the firstborn, but also no daily, already a distillate for beautiful moments that can be enhanced with a good pleasure. Have the FS2009 just tested against it and that comes much more one-dimensional and flat. Great rum the Touchstone! But I also drive totally on such finishes off...
Review by TheRhumhoe
A Foursquare that ranks among the driest in the range. The Bajan candy comes through on the nose with sweet spices (nutmeg, vanilla, clove, pepper), toasted oak, leather and traditional coconut, but it's the orange that really comes through on the nose. A very conventional olfactory profile. On the palate, the rum's power comes through with strong notes of orange and zest, while nougatine, caramel, vanilla and honey add roundness. There are also influences from the cognac cask that linger on the palate with that dried fruit marker. The alcohol is not badly integrated, but could have been worked on more. The finish is of good quality, still with that Cognac influence that dries out the palate with dried fruit (grape), tobacco, spicy, toasted oak and earthy notes. A profile that's a little peppier than other releases, but a little unbalanced and not quite on a par with Barbados.
Review by FischeJ
Schöner Foursquare. Nase mit Karamell, Holz, bisschen Alkoholstich, welcher aber nach etwas Ruhezeit verfliegt, und Gewürzen (Piment und Muskat). Im Mund wieder Gewürze, Holz, Kakao und Karamell. Anklang von Orange und Vanille. Recht kurzer Abgang mit Holz, dunkle Schokolade und etwas Würze. Alles recht harmonisch, allerdings auch nicht mehr super spannend aus meiner Sicht. Trotzdem sehr lecker und ziemlich süffig.
Review by alex
Comme d’habitude chez foursquare, bcp de similitudes entre leurs différents jus ! Fidèle à eux même, donc pas de grosse surprise C’est très bien fait sinon. On prend du plaisir même si la trame est souvent la même.
Review by Piotr Ignasiak
Had this side by side with Sassafras, which was much more elegant. Quite peppery and less subtle.
Review by Michael Ihmels 🇩🇪
Ein sehr schöner Foursquare. Riecht sehr frisch nach Orange und Schokolade geschmacklich daher erinnert mich ein wenig an Erfrischungsstäbchen. Aber sehr lecker une nicht künstlich. Ebenso Karamell zu erwähnen.
Review by Nils123
Ohne Wasser ist er für mich persönlich einfach nur stechend. Mit etwas Wasser viiiiieeel angenehmer und sehr gut genießbar.
Review by Maxime Clr 🇫🇷
Here, we're moving away from the usual Foursquare markers (coconut vanilla) to go for something a little different but very gourmand on chocolate, orange and nutmeg. Beautiful bottle.
Review by Rum Runner Labs - Will
A lot of brown sugar on the nose for an ECS—but brown sugar with fire power. For me the palate is much more complex, bringing allspice, oak, vanilla, a hint of non-specific citrus, a suggestion of pacificst brine. Sustained and pleasant baking spices finish.
Review by Rhum Mirror 🇧🇪
🔥 Pour bien commencer la semaine, place au dernier Bottle Kill ! 🔥 🥃 Foursquare Touchstone 2008 – 61 % 22ᵉ opus de la très acclamée Exceptional Cask Series, et seulement le deuxième Foursquare vieilli en fûts d’ex-cognac (après Dominus). On reste sur les fondamentaux de la maison : ➡️ rhum de mélasse ➡️ assemblage pot still & column still ➡️ 14 ans de vieillissement tropical à la Barbade ➡️ embouteillé à un solide 61 % 🔍 L’assemblage • Une partie issue de la Camus Caribbean Expedition, collaboration unique entre Camus et Foursquare : des fûts de cognac Camus voyagent jusqu’à la Barbade, vieillissent sous climat tropical, puis accueillent un rhum ex-bourbon de 12 ans pour 2 années supplémentaires de maturation. • L’autre composant est un rhum de 14 ans, vieilli 5 ans en ex-bourbon, puis 9 ans en ex-cognac. 👃 Nez Aucun doute, on est bien chez Foursquare : bois, coco légère, fruits tropicaux, vanille et caramel. Un nez classique mais très prometteur, fruité et concentré — difficile de résister à l’appel du verre. 👅 Bouche L’alcool est parfaitement intégré. Le fruit s’exprime avec des épices, des notes chocolatées, et une empreinte cognac évidente. Complexe, gourmande, enrichie de tabac et de caramel. Un vrai bonbon. 🔚 Finale Moyennement longue, sur un registre épicé et caramélisé. 👉 Un embouteillage très réussi, qui confirme encore une fois le savoir-faire de Foursquare.
Review by w00tAN
In Nase eher zurückhaltend, dann geht’s würzig und vor allem Bitter vorwärts. Etwas unrund das ganze. Ist ein guter FS aber nichts was mich von den Socken haut, landet also nicht im Regal.
Review by Claes Nilsson
Little alcohol in the nose and a broad sweetness, fruityness from grapes shines through. Warm, fruity taste lifted by cognac barrels and a little spice. One of the best rums I had so farsince got hooked!
Review by Schnubbii
Heute also endlich mal den neuen Touchstone im Glas. In der Nase merkt man sofort, dass man einen Foursquare im Glas hat. Geschmacklich ist er dann doch eine Überraschung für mich. Ich hatte keine großen Erwartungen, angesichts hoher Preise und nachdem er in der einen oder anderen Rezension als eher schwächerer Vertreter bezeichnet wurde. Aber für mich persönlich passen das Foursquare-Profil und der Cognac-Einfluss hier ganz hervorragend zusammen. Eine leichte, aber schöne Traubenfruchtigkeit, die im Abgang leicht in Fruchtbrause übergeht. Schönes Teil! Auch wenn er für mich nicht ganz an die reinen Bourbonfass-Reifungen herankommt.
Review by Jacques etdom
Nez foursquare, mais assez discret, assez élégant. En bouche de la coco, des épices et du bois. Presque un côté léger et fin, peut être l apport du fut de cognac. Les marqueurs foursquare ne sont pas exubérants. Une légère amertume également. C est bon, mais ce n est pas le meilleur de la série.
Review by David A
L’attaque est sèche et astringente, avec une présence alcoolique assez marquée. L’équilibre se cherche : la structure est droite, mais l’alcool peine à se fondre, même après aération. La bouche évolue cependant après un accord avec un chocolat noir aux éclats de cacao : le gras du chocolat atténue la sécheresse, et fait émerger une belle persistance de zeste d’orange, accompagnée de cacao amer, bois sec et fruits à coque. La finale est longue, sèche, légèrement poivrée, marquée par une amertume noble. Un rhum techniquement abouti, à l’architecture aromatique bien dessinée, mais qui reste émotionnellement distant. L’alcool est trop présent en bouche pour permettre une immersion sensorielle totale. Le Touchstone séduit par sa cohérence et son intensité sèche, mais n’offre pas la rondeur ou l’envoûtement que d’autres expressions de Foursquare peuvent procurer.
Review by Yves Remord
A good rum like Foursquare knows how to make. The cognac is clearly identifiable. The aromatic and alcoholic power are well controlled. The finish is pleasant and warm. The only small flaw is that the palate is unfortunately a little tight. I would have liked something fuller and more open on the palate. Very good rum 🤘
Review by Peter Sjoroos
Well... I'm a sucker for the foursquare ECS series, and this is another good one!! Oak barrel , tropical fruits, orange peel plus some spices and leather on the nose. Tasting it I'm finding it quite complex with the same things as smelled, with addition of cocoa, black pepper and maybe a hint of something floral.
Review by Vojta
Woody, spicy, peppery Little fruity Alcohol is well integrated Long finish full of wood, dark chocolate and peppery tingling
Review by Solidfunk
Initial smell of bourbon, cognac. Dried fruit and toasted coconut. Pours deep golden. More oak in the mouth. Some burnt rubber but light. Light pepper on the finish. Not much citrus fruit in this one, which I love in some of their best. Thanks to Yaro for a taste of this one.
Review by mediabyte
Excellent rum from foursquare. I have a couple sitting on my shelf just incase.
Review by TShute
A flavor bomb from Mr. Seale. Delightful aroma and finish.
Review by Louis Schiller
A very nice and complex rum with a lot to offer
Review by Serge
For me, not so the bringer. Lots of tannins and bitterness on the palate and overall not very harmonious. For me one of the weaker ECS
Review by RumRhush
Ce touchstone m’a touché en plein cœur ! Réconciliation avec les Foursquare que je trouvais bien fait mais qui m’ennuiyaient. Il faut dire que je lui trouve beaucoup moins le côté coco qui a tendance à m’écœurer. Il a un côté caramel salé qui me plaît beaucoup je pourrais le boire tout les soir c’est facile sans tomber dans la simplicité ! Le bémol est cette final qui est un peu courte et pas très complexe ! Mais un beau rhum
Review by Romain de L
Okay nose, not super memorable. Round and pleasant to drink, some oak, a bit of orange. Not worth the price.
Review by Pavel Spacek
Too much alcohol taste, less FSQ taste ... Foursquare is a distillery from Barbados producing amazing rums for everyday drinking. It's a rum that will be appreciated especially by rums who are fed up with sugar and are looking for a smooth, sweet rum full of coconut, vanilla, chocolate and caramel. Just pleasant and not aggressive flavours.
Review by Jonas
Foursquare. Einer von vielen imo. Kein Merkmal sticht heraus. Schade.
Review by Moldo.F.
A manly drink "with plenty of alcohol, but well integrated into a solid body, with flavors of dried fruit, light sweets camp smoke, vanilla.
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Expert reviews
3 critics scored it, averaging 8.2/10. Reviews from RumX's blog partners, independent experts who have tasted, evaluated, and described this rum..
Expert review by The Secret Rum Bar
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Expert review by Rum nagykövet
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Expert review by The Fat Rum Pirate
Read full review →I am probably being far more critical than maybe I should be.......this is still a very good rum! If you can get a bottle, buy a bottle. At this point in time I would say that about any ECS release. As a footnote though - don't ignore their standard XO,...
Live auctions
Current bids for this rum at Europe's leading auction houses.
Market value
What this bottle last achieved at auction. A research indicator, not a forecast.
Auction results 79 € – 126 €
from 14 sales, latest 08/2026
Prices incl. buyer's premium — what a buyer pays, not what a sale nets you.
Avg. community purchase price 125 €
What members paid for this bottle, self-reported. Not a market value — the purchases are over three years old at the median and unverified.
Details about Foursquare ECS XXII Touchstone 2008
A Pot & Column Still Rum from Barbados, distilled by Foursquare, at 61%.
Community purchases
338 bottles logged by 236 collectors.
A collector's bottle.
10% opened, 14 emptied and repurchased.
What does Foursquare ECS XXII Touchstone 2008 cost?
Community paid 95–150 €.
Current best price: 129.00 € – within the typical community range.
What members actually paid for their bottles. A typical range, not the current shop price. Full price & collection history in RX+ →
+12 purchases in the last 3 months.
Added to collections, last 12 months — dark bars are the last 3.
338 purchased · 148 tasted · 56 wishlist · as of
Read on in the RumX Guide
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I'm Oliver, and RumX began in 2018 as a small passion project in Stuttgart, back then under the name Rum Tasting Notes.
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