Clearly, the world of independent bottlers has been quite active lately … Straight from Brittany, Barikenn offers us its first 2 bottlings, without too much risk.
What I can of course fully understand in fact, investing your time and money must be stressful and you must make sure that you meet as many expectations as possible.
So, it is not surprising to see that the first two choices went to Foursquare and Worthy Park. Two destinations without too many unpleasant surprises, we will say, and often offered at very attractive prices.
Note, the two bottles will have been reduced in order to make them accessible to everyone while keeping the power required in 2020 by rum lovers …. The two therefore are around 55% of alcohol.
The whole proposed at a very interesting price and rather well presented, on paper, it seems to be clever 🙂
Mes deux samples 
Les deux bouteilles
Barbade 2011
Distilled in March 2011 by our friend Richard Seale, this Foursquare will have aged 5 years in the cellars of the distillery before being sent to Europe, to Scheer more than likely. There, he will stay there for another 3.5 years before coming to get lost in the Brittany sun.
As almost always at Foursquare, this rum comes from a column / pot still blend.
Color
Gold
Nose
Lemon, meringue, citrus, vanilla, butter and some herbs … over time we find a little roasted and chocolatey tip.
It is quite fresh and delicious despite the young age. A pleasant nose.
Palate
Again, this meringue, vanilla and some spices including pepper and some herbs …
The mouth is oily as a Foursquare can be, with a nice bourbon vanilla and some exotic fruits all wrapped in a light caramelized veil.
Price
56€
Conclusion
Nice « little » Foursquare that can serve as a great introduction to the distillery for those who don’t yet know.
The price is great and makes this foursquare a very nice purchase to make or have fun.
The young age makes it less complex than some other available references, but is not uninteresting so far.
Note
85/100
Jamaïque 2010
Distilled in a secret Jamaican distillery in 2010, this rum is said to have stayed there for 5 years and another 4.5 years in Europe.
Reduced to 55%, it will have stayed for almost 10 years of its life in a barrel from Jack Daniels.
Color
Gold
Nose
Pear, pineapple, vanilla, nutmeg, brioche, butter, pepper, marzipan and a slight herbaceous side I think. Very pleasant, balanced and « easy » to access, without being derogatory.
We clearly recognize Worthy Park, these Jamaican rums with character without being as typical as a Hampden for example.
A fairly pastry nose, you can smell a little alcohol but it seems balanced.
Palate
The palate is warm, fruity, brioche … with some light spices including nutmeg and pepper. A small olive and toast, chocolate powder at the end of the mouth.
Alcohol is there again but it is not too disturbing. It adds pep to the whole.
Price
55€
Conclusion
Nice Worthy Park … not waw but a very very nice introduction to this emblematic distillery of Jamaica, just like the Foursquare was.
Note
85/100
Conclusion
Two beautiful selections at great prices. There are two great references for those who would like to discover Worthy Park or Foursquare.
I think these two bottlings are more intended for new rum lovers, really I would recommend them because they do the job really well.
For the geeks who already have 5 foursquare and 8 worthy park in the cellar, it’s good but I’m not convinced that it is very interesting to add these references, although offered at very nice prices!
