Foursquare Penultimus occupies the penultimate position in the Exceptional Cask Selection series, as the thirtieth release (Mark XXX). As its Latin name suggests, this bottling heralds the upcoming end of the collection, with Epilogue . It also marks a first in the series' history: it is the very first ECS bottling to utilize Spanish Moscatel casks , a raw material previously unseen at Foursquare. This edition, selected like its predecessors by Richard Seale , the distillery's master distiller and master blender, is aged for 15 years .
Penultimus is composed of two rums aged separately. The first underwent double aging: 10 years in ex-bourbon barrels, followed by 5 years in ex-Moscatel barrels. The second was aged for 15 years exclusively in ex-bourbon barrels. This blending maintains the classic Foursquare structure while incorporating a fruitier, more vinous dimension imparted by the Moscatel.
The two components were distilled using the house's usual method, combining a pot still and a continuous distillation column , before aging entirely in Barbados .
At bottling, as usual, no adjustments are made: no sugar, no coloring, no chill filtration. The rum is offered at its cask strength of 57% ABV.
Jérémie's tasting notes
On the nose: cooked brown sugar, lightly vanilla-scented, rises from the glass, accompanied by a refined oakiness with toasty accents. Candied fruits express themselves generously, evoking date, fig, quince, and apricot, supported by notes of licorice and sweet spices, dominated by cinnamon and nutmeg. The oak remains the guiding thread without ever overpowering, preserving a beautiful aromatic balance. With aeration, toasted coconut integrates harmoniously into the palate.
On the palate: the attack is direct and rounded, built around a pronounced oakiness and cooked brown sugar. The fruit quickly emerges, enriched by a note of black cherry absent from the nose, which complements the candied fruit aromas. The sweet spices perceived on the nose are faithfully reproduced, this time accompanied by a touch of ginger and citrus zest that enliven the whole. Notes of toasted coconut quickly develop, while the structure maintains a decidedly dry profile.
The finish: long and persistent, it prolongs the notes of roasted wood and an elegant, perfectly controlled rancio. Nuances of blond tobacco and lightly toasted dried fruit are expressed with finesse, balanced by a touch of freshness and a slight acidity that add depth and length.
