Global Rum Ambassador, Ian Burrell, and Foursquare’s Richard Seale are on a mission to redefine a four-century-old industry with unique blends of rum from around the world. Seale is one of the co-creators of Equiano. Described as perfect for mixing, sipping, and savouring, on the nose it delivers tropical warmth alongside notes of dried fruits, such as raisins, combined with sweet toffee, butterscotch, and caramel. To taste, Equiano delivers its natural sweetness from a mix of ex-Cognac and ex-Bourbon casks that it tropically matures in. Equiano finishes on a medium sweet note with touches of oak, anise, sweet pepper and a hint of bitter orange peel.
Olaudah Equiano was an African entrepreneur, author and abolitionist who was enslaved in Africa, sent to the Caribbean, then sold into England; he eventually bought his own freedom by saving the profit he’d made from selling rum. His 1789 autobiography was one of the earliest books published by a Black African writer, and a bestseller in the UK. But, more importantly, his story contributed to the abolition of slavery.
Of the eponymous rum, Burrell said, “Equiano is an exclusive rum uniquely created by blending two cultures. We take Cognac cask aged rums from Africa and send them to Barbados to be blended with local aged rums. Once bottled, the final product is sent to the UK. This is a long journey, but an important one as it echoes the path of our namesake, Equiano; this is why we celebrate his name with our rum. This is also why we are donating 5% of our profits to ground level charities that fight for freedom and equality.”
Equiano is a limited batch blend from one of the best emerging distilleries in the world, Gray’s in Mauritius, and the world-renowned Barbadian distillery Foursquare. Bringing these two rum purists together means that Equiano is 100% natural rum, with no spices, no colorants, no additives and no added sugar. Completely uncompromised, all the rich and deep flavours come from the ex-Cognac and ex-Bourbon casks in which the rum tropically matures, creating an exquisite, modern and matured spirit that is totally unique.
Ian Burrell described it as, “An unadulterated rum that is best appreciated the way that YOU like to drink your spirits. Neat, on the rocks, with your favourite mixer or in a cocktail, this is a rum that you’ll discover, enjoy and then share.”
