Aroma visualization from community tastings
Foursquare ECS XIII 2008
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
- But: Alcohol not integrated
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The look inside the bottle
How does Foursquare ECS XIII 2008 taste?
Aggregated from 246 community reviews.
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.
Fans of dry, oaky ex-bourbon Foursquare
People wanting big tropical fruit or low ABV
How the community classifies this rum. Each category takes you to similar rums.
Which glass for which rum? The community guide →
86 of 246 left detailed tasting impressions · Click an aroma to explore similar rums
Recommendation
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Milder
Foursquare ECS XII Nobiliary 2005
8.7/10230 €
Similar rating, cheaper
Foursquare ECS XV Redoutable
8.6/10152 €First choice: 80 of 110 tasters who tried both prefer it.
How is Foursquare ECS XIII 2008 rated?
RumX’s 0–10 scale is strict: 8.6 sits in the “Very good” band. 97% 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?
93% rate it 8 or higher. 45 selected write-ups from 246 community ratings. You can view the complete list in our app.
One of the community's most-rated rums
Review by Henry Davies
An exceptional rum. The nose is inviting with oak, sugar, and apple notes. The palate 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 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 je destilerka z Barbadosu produkujici uzasne rumy ke kazdodennimu popijeni. Je to rum, ktery oceni zejmena rumari, kteri maji plne zuby cukru a hledaji jemny, nasladly rum plny kokosu, vanilky, cokolady a karamelu. Proste prijemne a nijak agresivni chute.
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 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 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
Un Rum rotondo e dal gusto intenso: secondo me uno dei migliori della serie Foursquare ECS. Gusto corposo ed al palato oleoso, si fanno sentire le note di Bourbon. Alcool inizialmente presente tende poi a mitigarsi. Buono per 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
Als Nicht-Foursquare-Freund muss ich sagen: echt lecker und gut gemacht.
Review by Frank
Ich finde zwar, dass die Foursquares alle sehr ähnlich sind, aber probieren muss ich die hin und wieder doch mal. Nase: fruchtig, cremig, würzig. Intensiv Kokos mit Vanille und Karamell im Vordergrund, dahinter mehlige Banane mit säuerlicher Ananas und Tabak. Der Alkohol sticht zunächst etwas. Insgesamt das bekannte Profil, für mich mit zuviel Karamell-Kokos. 78 Gaumen: würzig-holzig und kräftig. Deutliche Assoziationen Richtung Bourbon. Vorne dabei wieder Tabak mit etwas Leder und Vanille. Auch ein Hauch Kokos ist dabei. Am Gaumen gefällt er mir besser, hat mit einer leichten Rauchnote mehr Charakter. 82 Ich bleibe dabei: die ganzen Foursquares sind für mich austauschbar und fast beliebig. Aber dennoch gut gemacht.
Review by mto75
gefällt mir an der Nase besser als am Gaumen, wo sich der nicht so gut eingebundene Alkohol doch etwas negativ bemerkbar macht. Sonst hätte es noch ein paar Punkte mehr gegeben…
Review by Rowald Sweet Empire
compared to other FS vintages less balanced. too alcoholic. Prefer 2007 + 2005
Review by Santo
L'une des meilleures sorties de Foursquare dans la série ECS !
Review by Rhum Mirror 🇧🇪
millésime 2008-2020 Foursquare vieilli en fûts de bourbon à la Barbade et embouteillé brut de fût à 60%. Il s'agit d'un rhum Single Blended, ce qui signifie qu'il s'agit d'un mélange de rhums distillés en pot still et en colonne. Nez rond-pâtissier : goût de miel-cassonade et banane flambée. L’attaque en bouche est franche et impressionnante. La mélasse est la, de la muscade et du boisé. La finale est agréable mais moins surprenante que la 1ère bouche. On est comme souvent avec Foursquare sur un produit de qualité. Mais dans les dernières sorties de la marque, je préfère le Nobiliary
Review by Martin Spooner
Wundervoll rund im Geruch. Fruchtige Noten ... Berheißunsvoll. Im Geschmack wundervoll sanftm leicht ölig mit hervorragendem Abgang. Ein wirklich toller rum, der absolut meine Geschmack trifft. Ein Traum.
Review by Portman
Weniger Süß als manch andere ECS-Abfüllung, was mehr holzige und zitrusartige Noten an den Gaumen dringen lässt. Rundes, weiches, leckeres Gerät!
Review by 2up1down
Overrated 🤷🏻♂️
Review by Tom Buteneers
Ik schat deze net iets hoger in dan de Doorly’s 14, maar zou ze graag eens naast elkaar proeven. Ik verbaas me erover hoe evenwichtig hij is ondanks het hoge alcoholpercentage.
Review by Michal S
Pro mě o kousek lepší než ostatní ročníkovky Foursquare, delikátní vůně s hromadou příjemných tónů a bohatá chuť, kde všechno hraje. Doporučuju.
Review by WiltChamberlain
Alkohol für mich nicht gut eingebunden, das verhindert eine höhere Bewertung.
Review by Morgan Garet
Nez "différent" du 2004 et du 2005,moins sur le côté pâtissier, l'ananas, la coco et le bois vernis dominent. En bouche c'est différent également, très élégant, le bois vernis ( vieux meuble ), le caramel les épices douces sont au 1er plan puis la réglisse et le zeste d'orange amènent une petite fraîcheur et une amertume en fin de bouche. Finale longue sur la vanille et les épices.
Review by John Coffey
Nez sublime après une bonne aération mais trop poivrée en bouche
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 RumRhush
Indéniablement c’est bien fait ! Mais un foursquare de plus quoi .. « I'm in Love with the Coco »
Review by Roman Nussbaumer
Sehr guter Rum. In der Nase der Hammer. Man könnte stunden lang daran riechen. Gehört Aktuell zu meinen Lieblings Foursquare. Kann gut Pur getrunken werden. Mit einem Schuss Wasser wird er etwas weicher und passt auch sehr gut.
Review by David
Moins bonne intégration de l’alcool et moins complexe que le 2007.
Review by Jacques etdom
Au nez vraiment l impression d être sur le plantation xo. Beaucoup de coco. En bouche la même impression avec plus de watts et un côté très huileux. La fin de bouche sur des notes de raisin. Un peu déçu, ne vaut pas toute les série des isonomy, sovereignity, indélébile etc...
Review by Pierangelo Pianta
Classico profilo , piacevole , lungo
Review by Lupo Alberto
Riporto da una mia vecchia recensione: Le ECS rappresentano le offerte uniche e rare della Foursquare Rum Distillery che Richard ha selezionato a mano: i suoi progetti personali vengono messi sul mercato solo quando ritiene che siano di qualità eccezionale. Queste sono espressioni uniche nel loro genere, disponibili solo per un tempo limitato, e che mostrano approcci davvero unici sia alla miscelazione che alla maturazione del Rum, e questo ha portato a una serie costante di riconoscimenti: • 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” Per dirla come Warren Bobrow: “Per bere un Rum della Foursquare, devi solo avere il desiderio di assaggiare alcune delle cose più squisite che il denaro può comprare..." Tipo di Rum: Tradizionale Origine: Barbados Gradazione: 60° Invecchiamento: Assemblaggio di rum invecchiati 12 anni in botti ex-bourbon; i rum utilizzati provengono sia da pot still che da colonna, e il Rum è imbottigliato senza filtrazione a freddo Nel bicchiere appare di un bel colore ambra, molto carico, mentre al naso rivela profumi di vaniglia, frutta tropicale, cocco, tabacco... E' un piacere anche il solo indugiare ad annusarne gli effluvi. In bocca è potente, forte dei suoi 60°, speziato, con piacevoli sentori di legno, tabacco, vaniglia... Una dolce epifania piena, appagante, con un lungo finale che sfuma in un aroma dolce e speziato, giusto compimento per un simile capolavoro. Vista la gradazione, credevo che sarei stato costretto ad aggiungere un po' di acqua in un secondo momento per percepirne meglio i sentori, ma poi ho cambiato idea, sarebbe stato quasi un sacrilegio. Che posso dire... Un'apoteosi, una sinfonia di deliziose sensazioni. Lo so, ha una gradazione altissima, è difficile da reperire e ha un costo non proprio popolare, ma merita in toto la vostra attenzione. Se vi capita di poterci mettere sopra le mani, non esitate, e dategli un bel posto nella vostra bacheca: nella mia ha già il posto d'onore, assieme agli altri ECS ^_^
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
Vraiment une très belle découverte, je recommande vraiment ce rhum!
Review by Johan R
Smooth och balanserad med en fin eftersmak.
Review by Roman Staroń
Że względu na dużą moc dobrze jest testować rum po zjedzeniu obfitego posiłku. Rum warty spróbowania i powrotu do niego ale ze względu na moc zalecana ostrożność 😉
Review by Peter Bosel
Quite nice; a very pleasant dream. Typical Foursquare for better or for worse.
Review by Richard Krupa
Vubec bych nerekl ze tam je 60%. Super
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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 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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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...
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 66 € – 102 €
from 31 sales, latest 08/2026
Prices incl. buyer's premium — what a buyer pays, not what a sale nets you.
Avg. community purchase price 96 €
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 XIII 2008
A Pot & Column Still Rum from Barbados, distilled by Foursquare, at 60%.
Community purchases
748 bottles logged by 506 collectors.
A drinker & collector.
17% opened, 54 emptied and repurchased.
What does Foursquare ECS XIII 2008 cost?
Community paid 62–115 €.
Current best price: 299.00 € – above 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+ →
+5 purchases in the last 3 months.
Added to collections, last 12 months — dark bars are the last 3.
748 purchased · 256 tasted · 141 wishlist · as of
Read on in the RumX Guide
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Foursquare ECS X 2007
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Foursquare ECS XXIV 2011
Foursquare ECS XXIV 2011Classic oaky, coconut-vanilla Foursquare at full strength
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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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