Foursquare : Epilogue Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XXXI

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Foursquare Epilogue Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XXXI

Tasting

Appearance
Ranging from deep gold to intense amber, this rum reveals superb coppery highlights. It is perfectly clear, although a very slight haze may appear because it has not been chill-filtered. In the glass, its high viscosity shows in slow, tightly packed legs, a promise of great richness and fine concentration.

Nose
Highly complex, the nose opens with vibrant citrus notes of grapefruit, zesty caramelised orange and a hint of lemon. It then moves towards indulgent pastry aromas of honeycomb, toffee, nougat, brown butter and butterscotch. In the background, darker, more mature nuances of leather and tobacco mingle with subtle tropical fruit and grapes.

Palate
The attack is powerful and warming, driven by its 57% ABV, before revealing a smooth, enveloping texture. The aromatic range unfolds with impressive density, offering flavours of dried pineapple, raisins and orange peel oil. The mid-palate is enriched by ripe cherries, spiced marzipan, dark chocolate and caramel. The exceptionally long finish leaves a lasting impression of butterscotch, pencil shavings, leather and tobacco.

Pairings and Serving Occasions
This exceptional spirit is best enjoyed neat at room temperature, in a tulip or copita glass to concentrate its aromas. A drop or two of water can be added to open it up further. It pairs beautifully with candied citrus desserts, caramelised orange tart or almond and honey pastries. It also goes well with intense dark chocolate, aged hard cheeses such as an old Mimolette or, for aficionados, a cigar.

Mixology
Given its rarity and age, this rum is primarily intended to be enjoyed neat. However, in the context of very high-end mixology, it can elevate spirit-forward cocktails such as an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan, in place of whisky. It should be used very sparingly so as not to mask its aromatic complexity.

A Barbados Rum of Absolute Complexity from Foursquare

Foursquare: The Excellence of Barbados Rum
Located in the parish of Saint Philip, on a former sugar plantation dating back to 1720, the Foursquare distillery was relaunched in its modern form in 1996. Now run by Richard Seale, master distiller and fourth-generation member of the Seale family (its current owners), it has established itself as a global benchmark. This independent producer crafts authentic Barbados Rum founded on total transparency and a strict absence of additives. Its production equipment combines a copper pot still with double retorts and twin continuous Coffey columns, allowing it to create blends of great precision. Foursquare thus embodies the perfect union of respect for Caribbean heritage and unrivalled contemporary technical rigour.

The Pinnacle of a Legendary Series: Epilogue Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XXXI
Made from local sugar cane molasses, this Epilogue Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XXXI is an exceptionally rare "single blended" Rum. It is the result of a meticulous blend of distillates from the distillery's pot still and continuous column still.

Extraordinary Tropical Ageing
This limited edition, the 31st release (Mark XXXI) in the prestigious Exceptional Cask Selection (ECS) series, stands out for its exceptional ageing of at least 19 years. Matured entirely in the tropical climate of Barbados in ex-bourbon American white oak casks, this Rum has lost a considerable angels' share, concentrating its aromas to the extreme.

The Close of a Cycle
Personally selected by Richard Seale, this cuvée lives up to its name: it serves as the symbolic conclusion to a cycle of almost two decades of experimentation. The oldest expression ever released in this range, it represents the culmination of the distillery's expertise. Its excellence has also been acclaimed by international critics, earning an outstanding score of 98/100 and a gold medal at the IWSC in 2026.