Foursquare – Mandamus – 16 years – 57%
In the heart of Barbados, the Foursquare distillery stands as one of the absolute references in contemporary rum. Run by the Seale family, it embodies a vision of excellence based on transparency, technical mastery, and integrity of taste. Each bottling is conceived as a demonstration of precision, combining pot still and column still distillation, rigorous cask selection, and full tropical aging. Foursquare claims a dry, pure, and perfectly balanced style, now a sought-after signature by enthusiasts worldwide.
Mandamus fits into this philosophy of authenticity. Aged 16 years in carefully selected casks and bottled at 57%, it reflects all the power of a tropically matured rum, whose aromatic intensity concentrates over the years under the Barbadian heat. The precise blend of pot and column distillations offers remarkable depth, marrying complexity, structure, and elegance. With no additives or artifice, Mandamus is presented in its noblest truth. The rum is finally finished in ex-port casks.
On tasting, the nose reveals a bouquet of great richness. The first notes evoke brown caramel, vanilla, and toasted coconut, quickly joined by aromas of dried fruits, candied apricot, and warm cane. On the palate, the attack is ample and distinguished. The perfectly controlled strength reveals flavors of precious oak, sweet spices, bitter cocoa, and lightly stewed tropical fruits. The evolution is deep and velvety, carried by a solid structure that attests to the long tropical aging. The finish is long, warm, and remarkably refined, marked by lingering noble wood, dry molasses, and light smoky touches.
Mandamus is ideally enjoyed neat, in a quiet moment where its complexity can fully express itself. It pairs admirably with a well-matured cigar, a dark chocolate dessert, or a tart of roasted exotic fruits. Its aromatic nobility also makes it a prized piece for collectors who appreciate perfectly crafted and deeply characterful rums.
