Barbados rum wins big at IWSC: 14-year-old Equipoise Rum takes top spot

Barbados became the undisputed winner when it came to rum at this year's International Wine & Spirits Competition. It is reported that over the 20 best-rated rums tasted by global experts, the country produces more than half of the choices, with a total of eight of them being from the R.L. Seale's Foursquare distillery.

Not only this, but at this year's IWSC, the Caribbean region boasted most of the highest rated rums among the many hundred tasted by experts and the world's newly crowned best run came from the small island nation of Barbados.

It is to be noted that the competition's top rated rum in the world which stood with 99 points is R.L. Seale's Foursquare 14 year old Equipoise Rum. With 61% alcohol by value, it is not any typical rum and can likely be sipped in small amounts rather than mixed with anything else. It also features a unique flavour profile, said the experts.

The experts called the rum 'luxurious' and 'long lasting' and said that enticing aromas of leather as well as olive oil greet the senses which leads to a blend of citrus peel, oak, cinnamon, dark chocolate as well as nutmeg. It also has flavours of plummy, spiced fruit dancing on the palate upon a soft and sweet mouthfeel. Also, a dry, tangy finish lingers which reveals layers of banana bread, caramel and tobacco.

In a major coincidence, the first ever record of rum in history was made on the island of Barbados. Other nations in the top 20 responsible for great rum includes Martinique, Thailand and Cambodia. The 2nd position was bagged by Taiwan and 3rd by Australia. This year's Spirits Judging was a huge success with almost 100 international judges gathered in London to taste over 4,000 spirits entries from around the world.

With more than 3,760 medals awarded, 500 of which were gold and over 100 gold outstanding medals, this has been an incredible year for spirits.