Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XXXIII 'Provenance'
Foursquare · Foursquare Distillery
Mark XXXIII continues Richard Seale's methodical pursuit of transparency and craft. The binding agent here is cask management—the interplay of ex-bourbon and ex-Madeira wood integrating column and pot still distillates into a unified whole. This is Barbadian rum at its most serious and rewarding.
Nose
Rich toffee and dark chocolate open the aroma, followed by dried fig, aged oak, and a whiff of espresso. Underneath, a layer of vanilla and coconut provides warmth. The high proof carries without burning, delivering intensity without aggression.
Palate
Full-bodied and oily. The entry is a cascade of molasses, toffee, and dark roasted coffee. The mid-palate brings tobacco leaf, dried orange peel, and a rich leathery note. Oak is prominent but measured, contributing structure rather than astringency. Cask strength reveals nuance rather than overwhelming heat.
Finish
Very long and complex. Espresso, dried fruit, and smoldering tobacco fade slowly into a warm, sweet vanillin glow.
- Base Ingredient
- Barbados molasses
- Distillation
- Blend of pot still and column still distillates
- Country
- St. Philip, Barbados
Food Pairing
The rum's chocolate and coffee notes amplify the tart's bittersweet cocoa, while sea salt crystals heighten the caramel and toffee undertones in both.
Master distiller Richard Seale blended column and pot still distillates aged 14 years in a combination of ex-bourbon and ex-Madeira casks at the family-owned Foursquare Distillery in St. Philip parish.
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