Richard Seale cops prestigious international award

Master Distiller Richard Seale of Foursquare Distillery has again placed Barbados on the world’s stage by being named The International Wine and Spirit Competition’s (IWSC) Industry Champion for 2023 – a very prestigious recognition of the outstanding work he has done building rum as a super-premium spirit and for Barbados Rum in particular. 

Previously, the IWSC annually honoured a president whose contribution had been a real advocate in the world of wine or spirits in any number of guises. From 2023, the title with the same prestige will be that of IWSC Industry Champion and Seale has been afforded the honour. This is the first time the title has been awarded to a sole rum producer or anyone from the Anglophone Caribbean. It is a first for Barbados Rum. 

The Industry Champion is selected for their achievement in the industry and their involvement in championing their region or country or category of drinks. The Industry Champion is known for demonstrating innovation and is viewed as a role model within the industry. The International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) which was founded in 1969, is the premier competition of its kind in the world. Its aim is to promote the quality and excellence of the world’s best wines, spirits, and liqueurs. 

The IWSC said of Seale: “[He] plans to make the most of his year highlighting super-premium rum through educational tastings and masterclasses, podcasts, and press trips. He passionately believes quality rum deserves its place at the top table when it comes to superpremium spirits and he has never been fearful of ringing the changes in a conservative industry. Seale is CEO of Foursquare Distillery, which sets the benchmark for what a Caribbean distillery can be.”  

Commenting on the award, Seale noted, “It’s a great opportunity, as there hasn’t been an industry champion from our part of the world, nor one from a sole rum producer. Our mission has always been to promote excellence in Barbados rum on the global stage, so the activities with the IWSC over the next year will be an opportunity that I intend to exploit to the fullest.” 

Foursquare Distillery has previously been a four-time IWSC Rum Producer of the Year and won the overall top trophy of IWSC Spirits Producer of the Year in 2021. Since its establishment in 1996, Foursquare has become the largest Barbadian owned exporter. From the original seven-acre sugar factory site to the current 53 acres, the expansion has incorporated two additional stills, four maturation warehouses, a new bottling facility, two sugar mills, a cooperage and the growing of specialist cane varieties.

Construction of the number five and six warehouses are underway, and will allow the distillery to double its maturing rum reserves in the next ten years. Rums produced at Foursquare are the most popular on the island and include the ESA Field, Old Brigand and Alleyne Arthur brands. (PR)