Foursquare Magisterium Mark XXVI 16yr Rum

116pf

 

Magisterium (definition: "mastery") is the 26th edition in the series, and features a blend of pot and column distillate, produced at the Foursquare rum distillery in St. Philip, Barbados in 2008.

 

This consisted of three rums: the first aged 3 years in ex-Bourbon casks and 13 years in ex-Oloroso sherry casks, another aged 9 years in ex-Bourbon casks and 7 years in ex-Oloroso sherry casks, and the last aged for 16 years entirely in ex-Bourbon casks. These rums were all aged for 16 years, then blended and bottled at 58% ABV.

 

This is the first ex-Sherry maturation ECS release since Sovereignty, widely regarded as a fan favorite among recent marks.

 

Lots of dark fruits on the nose, which is decidedly more intense than other ex-Sherry cask Foursquare; dates and rotting red grapes joins soy sauce, butterscotch, and orange. The palate has more fruits, with the Sherry cask bringing a bit of rancio into the mix; this is remarkably complex, with vanilla and cinnamon joining mocha and the aforementioned fruits. The finish is fruity and tannic, with a mix of previous notes shining through.

 

Richard Seale has done it again. Magisterium is such a fun rum that carves its own path, even after 26 specialized releases in the ECS series. If you liked Sovereignty, this release is certainly worth a look.