Doorly’s 12 Year Old – August 2025
FOURSQUARE RUM + 12 YEARS IN BARBADOS = DOORLY’S 12 YEAR OLD!
Now Doorly’s rum is one of the oldest Caribbean rum brands, established in the early 1920’s. This Doorly’s 12yo is a blend of 90% ex-bourbon casks and 10% ex-Madeira casks – all a minimum age of 12 years old. Fully tropically aged in Barbados and presented at 43% abv. For those who have ornithological bent – the parrot featured on the label is Spix’s Macaw, which is a critically endangered parrot and sadly, very most likely has now ceased-to-be [as a species] in the wild.
Foursquare Distillery needs absolutely no introduction here. Headed by the amazing Richard Seale, this Barbadian distillery has amassed more rum awards than nearly any other rum distillery and is possibly one of the most instantly-recognised distilleries in the world. Foursquare remains one of the few remaining independent family-owned producers in the Caribbean.
Richard Seale and Foursquare took out the honours for Rum Producer of the Year at the 2024 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC). But Foursquare is no stranger to this award. In fact, 2024’s IWSC Rum Producer of the Year award makes an incredible combined total of 11 ‘Rum Producer of the Year’ awards from two of the world’s most respected and vaunted alcohol competitions – the IWSC and the ISC (International Spirits Challenge) since 2016.
Richard Seale and Foursquare are arguably the world’s best rum producers, period.
In 1906, the establishment of the Barbados Rum Duty Act required distilleries to become licenced and only allowed them to sell rum in quantities of 45 litres or more (i.e. – not direct to the consumer). In response to this act, and to enable sales of bottles to consumers, blenders (many of whom were already involved in the trade of commodities) started to emerge. The blenders were able to buy in large quantities, blend and bottle, and then sell on the retail market under their own label. In 1920 Martin Doorly & Co. was one of these. R&L Seale (now owners of Foursquare Distillery) was another that established itself in 1926 – and eventually went to acquire many of the brands (including the Doorly’s name), and ultimately go on to build the Foursquare distillery in 1996.
Now to the price. We’ve become aware that there is at least one retailer who appears to have this product at a cheaper price than us – be aware that ours is the ‘European’ release at 43% abv – some online stores have some of the US-intended stock at 40% abv The ‘US-market’ bottle also has a screw-cap whereas ‘ours’ has a synthetic cork stopper. We don’t believe anyone else has this product at the exceptional Rum Tribe price of $119
Our Tasting Notes:
Nose: Surprisingly mellow on the nose (in no way ‘insufficient’, but not quite the wall of olfactory overwhelming that – say – the Doorly’s 14yo is). Subdued fruity sweetness over dusty oak staves with vanilla and jasmine. Just what you’d expect from a combo bourbon-madeira maturation.
Palate: Sweet and juicy with a rich and satisfyingly oily mouthfeel with a brief and mild ‘ginger-nut biscuit spice’ vibe on the edges of the tongue. Lovely sweet notes of stewed prunes, tropical fruit salad, fruit mince spices and vanilla-custard creaminess.
Finish: A long and hearty finish to keep you chewing each sip as the flavour parade progresses! The rich creaminess of the initial palate changes course as the ride progresses becoming dryer as the finish unfolds – with more of that initial oak weaving in and out of black coffee and dark chocolate notes. Interestingly there is a swing back to sweeter notes about 2/3 thorugh the finish… which then becomes crisper again as it fades.
I really love this rum for two main reasons – the interplay of the cask types is very well balanced. The ex-bourbon casks (American Oak) giving those lovely creamy vanilla and flowery notes with just enough of the ex-Madeira cask (French Oak) influence (spicy notes and that slightly astringent ‘crispness’ in the finish). The Doorly’s 12yo is definitely a sipper – perfect for a few quiet minutes to yourself, even better with a few friends to chat about it with (as always!).
ABOUT DOORLY’S
Doorly’s Rum is one of the flagship brands produced by the acclaimed Foursquare Distillery in Barbados. Named after Martin Doorly, a pioneering Barbadian rum merchant in the early 20th century, the brand has a long-standing legacy tied closely to the island’s rum-making history. Today, Doorly’s offers a range of age-stated rums—from 3 to 14 years—each crafted with precision and a focus on showcasing the character of Barbadian rum. The packaging features the iconic macaw, symbolising the vibrancy and heritage of the Caribbean.
Foursquare Distillery, where Doorly’s is made, is owned and operated by the Seale family, with Richard Seale at the helm. Known for transparency, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Foursquare has become one of the most respected names in the rum world. The distillery uses a combination of pot and column stills, aging its rums primarily in ex-bourbon casks, sometimes finished in wine or sherry casks for added complexity. All Foursquare rums are free of additives—a stance that has earned the distillery accolades and admiration from rum enthusiasts and critics alike.
The relationship between Doorly’s and Foursquare represents a perfect blend of history and modern craftsmanship. While Doorly’s retains its roots as a heritage brand, the production values, aging regimes, and blending skill of Foursquare elevate it far beyond a typical commercial label. Whether you’re sipping the 5-Year, exploring the complexity of the 12-Year, or diving into the nuanced depth of the 14-Year, each bottle of Doorly’s reflects the distillery’s signature style: bold yet balanced, honest and unadorned.
