Saliboa Cachaca

Bythefatrumpirate

Saliboa Cachaca Seleta Cachaca Rum Review by the fat rum pirateSaliboa Cachaca is part of the Seleta (Select) family of products. It is one of their more recents products. It is also one of their older cachacas, in terms of ageing.

Hailing from Salinas, MInas Gerais which is often seen as the capital of Cachaca production Seleta is amongst Brasil’s best-selling cachacas. In 2012, Seleta has received the seal of a Geographical Indication (GI) of the INPI. Its location, as well as the climate and soil, promote the development of a great variety of wild yeasts which help with the quality and taste of the cachaça produced by the company.

Saliboa Cachaca is produced on Copper Pot Stills from freshly harvested suit is a gar cane. It is then aged for 5 years in Tabebuia Chrysantha (known as Ipe Amarelo in Brasil) wood. This wood is from tree native to the tropical rainforests of South America. It is the national tree of Venezuela.

Saliboa Cachaca is available in 3 bottles sizes – 120ml, 670ml an 600ml. For some reason the presentation is different for the 120ml and 670ml bottles, which are presented in ceramic rather than glass bottles. The picture at the top of the review is of the 600ml bottle. For once I can happily report that you can obtain this particular cachaça in the UK it is available from the following Portuguese food specialist here.

The price of £29.95 is not bad at all for a “niche import”. It is the 600ml bottle and is bottled at 45.5% ABV. Looks wise with its metal cap it looks more like a German Pilsener than a bottle of cachaça/rum. I guess the producers do not expect the bottles to last very long. You would have to find your own cork to seal it if you wished it last longer than one sitting.

Seleta have their own website which will give you a bit more information on the brand and its others products. Their Cachaca Seleta is noted as being the “Darling of Brasil”, such is its popularity.

In the glass Saliboa Cachaca is a shade or two darker than straw or white wine. Very light brown. Clearly the casks the cachaça has aged in have only give a very subtle colour to the spirit.

The nose is light and fragrant with some slightly soapy but very nicely balanced aromas of vanilla, sandalwood and some sweet grassy notes.

Further nosing reveals some nice spicy notes of ginger and some turmeric. This combines with some light toffee and perhaps a dollop of caramel sauce.

The wood influence on this cachaça is very pleasant – slightly floral but its subtlety has had a really nice effect on the spirit. This is quite a unique nose and one which is very pleasant and inviting.

Sipping Saliboa Cachaca is an equally pleasant experience. An initial burst of sweet toffee notes mingles alongside freshly cut ginger and some green chilli. It is refreshing and warming at the same time. Palate cleansing yet the finish is long and full of vanilla and pears.

Despite a relatively high ABV (Cachaca can only be 48% anything higher in ABV becomes Aguardente de Cana) of 45.5% ABV this has a really nSaliboa Cachaca Seleta Rum review by the fat rum pirateice subtle balance to it. Like the best Barbados rums this is more about skillful blending and subtlety, as opposed to brute force flavour.

Further sips, reveal a light smoke on the palate which works beautifully alongside the subtle notes of ginger and even a touch of garlic or chive. This isn’t a very grassy cachaça, the sugar cane only really shows it’s sweeter caramelised notes, rather than grassy aromas.

This is a fantastic cachaça and one which I am really enjoying. The finish is long and warming, with a really long fade. The best thing about this cachaça is the balance, it doesn’t have any “off notes”. It’s subtle yet backs sufficient punch to satisfy the taste buds.

I’ll be seeking out other Cachaca’s aged in this type of wood if available, as this is very distinctive and very good!

 

 

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  • DropWorks Distillers Drop #002

    Bythefatrumpirate

    DropWorks Distillers Drop #002 rum review by the fat rum pirateDropWorks Distillers Drop #002. DropWorks are clearly not hanging about. Distillers Drop #002 arrives off the back of a debut that sold out quickly and earned a fair bit of attention.

    Rather than playing that safe they’ve leaned further into the experimental side of things. For Drop #002 they’ve gone down the Bordeaux Red wine cask route. Not a short finish, not a token influence either. This has spent 28 months in ex-Bordeaux casks from the Fronsac region. Casks which previously held Merlot.

    It’s bottled at a meaty 50.7% ABV with an outturn of 900 bottles, and like Drop #001, it didn’t take long for people to start snapping it up. It is as I type down the “last few bottles” according to their latest Facebook reel. You can still pick up a bottle which for a 70cl will set you back £64.75 here direct from DropWorks

    The bottle itself sticks to the DropWorks house style. Clean, modern, and refreshingly free ofgimmicks. No pirates, no shipwrecks, no overwrought backstory. Just the information you actually care about, presented clearly. It probably won’t excite the marketing department but it works for the rest of us.

    In the glass it’s a deeper shade than the first Drop, with a rich amber colour and the faintest reddish tint when the light hits it.

    A slow swirl shows some decent weight and gives the impression this is going to be a bit more structured than its predecessor.

    The nose opens with the cask influence front and centre. Red fruits appear first, more Strawberry and Plum than heavy Red Wine, followed by Caramel and light oak-ey notes. There’s a crack of Black Pepper sitting underneath it all which stops things getting too sweet. Given a bit of time, darker notes start to creep in too. A touch of Cocoa, a hint of something earthy.

    On the sip it there’s DropWorks Distillers Drop #002 rum review by the fat rum pirateheat but it’s well managed. An initial burst of spice gives
    way to Caramel, Vanilla and gentle Oak. The wine cask starts to show its hand a little more with more sips. This adds a soft tannic note that gives the rum shape without drying it out too much.

    As you spend time with it, deeper flavours begin to emerge. Cocoa becomes more obvious, the Oak darkens slightly, and there’s a suggestion of Stewed Fruit rather than fresh sweetness. A slight bitterness runs through the back of the palate which keeps everything in check.

    The mid palate is probably where this works best. The interaction between spirit and cask feels intentional and well judged. The wine influence adds complexity rather than novelty. Crucially it still tastes like rum first and foremost. That’s not something every wine cask rum manages to pull off. Especially those that are from a “wet cask” with soem extra special sauce added……….

    The finish is long and warming. Sweetness fades first, leaving Spice, Oak and that gentle wine derived dryness lingering nicely. A final echo of caramel and pepper hangs around long enough to encourage another sip, which is always a good sign.

    I didn’t really mix this. I thought about it briefly, but that was as far as it got. Like DropDropWorks Distillers Drop #002 rum review by the fat rum pirate #001, this feels far more at home sipped neat or maybe with a cube if you’re feeling generous. You could use it to reinforce a cocktail, particularly something spiritforward, but you’d be missing the point a little.

    DropWorks aren’t trying to make these Distillers Drops appeal to everyone and that’s a good thing. Drop #002 feels like a step forward rather than a repeat performance. More refined than the first, but still clearly part of the same “What happens if we try this?” thinking that makes the series worth paying attention to.

    It won’t be for casual drinkers, but for those who enjoy cask forward, higher strength rums and are interested in where modern British rum is heading, this is another excellent showing.

     

  • Berrys’ Barbados Rum Aged 12 Years

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Berry's Barbados Rum review by the fat rum pirateBerrys’ or Berrys’ Bros and Rudd to give them their full name are an English Independent bottler of wines and spirits.  They are also one of London’s leading wine and spirits retailers with the same premises at 3 St James Street London since 1698.

    They have a wide and ever changing range of aged rums from all around the globe.  I was fortunate enough to pick up this rather dusty bottling from a few years ago at a very reasonable £39.95.

    Bottled at 46% ABV I figured it would be worth a punt.  I’ve rarely been disappointed with Bajan rum.  For no particular reason, I did think when buying this rum that it might hail form the West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD), who produce Cockspiur.  Quite why I thought that I can offer no explanation.

    It turns out this rum is very likely to be from the Foursquare Distillery (I spoke with Richard Seale who was about 95% certain it was one of his).  To be honest once I had opened this rum I would have put money on it being from Foursquare rather than WIRD or even Mount Gay.  The rum isn’t obtained direct from Richard it is done via a broker so Richard was unable to vouch for any more details regarding this bottling.  It should be noted that Berrys’ issue different aged rums on a just about yearly basis which seems to be based on what stocks they have.  They release quite a bit and their website frequently changes.  At present I think you can get an 11 Year Old Bajan rum but not this 12 year old.

    The presentation of the Berrys’ rums is great (note that we struggled to get the full bottle in the photo above!) – the bottles are tall and elegant and bottom heavy.  They have lovely wooden topped cork stoppers.  In keeping with them being Wine experts there is a lot of information on tasting notes but nothing regarding its provinence.  Which is a shame.Berrys Barbados Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    When poured the rum is a classic golden brown perhaps a shade lighter than Doorly’s 12 or Rum Sixty Six.  The nose is quite spicy with more bourbon notes which reminds me a little of MGXO or the Real McCoy 12. There is less vanilla present than say Rum Sixty Six.

    Unlike the Port Cask Finish or Doorly’s XO this is a very straightforward Bajan rum.  The flavours are very much influenced by the Bourbon casks rather than any finishing in other types of casks.  Which is in no way a bad thing.

    Tasting the rum doesn’t offer any great surprises.  It’s a very nice clean tasting spirit.  I have noticed that a few of the Independent bottlings which have some ageing in the UK do seem to have a slightly fresh taste to them.

    I will also make a suggestion that is a blended rum as it does not display enough heavier pot still notes so I would say it is a blend of pot and column distilled rums.

    The Berrys’ Barbados 12 Year Old rum offers a very pure, clean tasting Bajan rum.  It will be immediately recognisable as a Bajan rum to anyone who has tried the islands rums.  It doesn’t have any stand out touches.  It is however different enough from the existing Foursquare line up to be worth seeking out if you are a fan of such rums.

    Of all the Foursquare rums it is probably most similar to The Real McCoy though with slightly less of the charred taste.

    On first sip it has a slightly sharp note, quite hot and spicy.  This fades leaving a little raisin and other dried fruit on the palate.  The slightly sweet/sour Bourbon note is most prominent in the finish which is long and very pleasant.Berry's Barbados Rum 12 review

    This rum isn’t hugely complex on the first few sips.  Or at least you don’t realise it is.  It seems very comfortable and familiar.  However as you work your way down the bottle you realise that the clean taste of this rum enables you to notice more subtleties in its make up.  Notes of vanilla, all spice, a tiny hint of Benylin, some almost menthol like notes of winter freshness.

    The colder climate ageing of this rums seems to have given it more clarity and definition.  The extra ABV also seems to help as well.

    All in all a very nicely put together rum and certainly one to seek out for any Foursquare lover.

    4.5 stars

     

     

     

     

  • The Rum Swedes – Barbados 2000

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Rum Swedes Barbados Rum Review by the fat rum pirateThe Rum Swedes Barbados 2000 hails from the West Indies Rum Distillery (WIRD) who are responsible for the Cockspur brand.

    The Rum Swedes brand is part of Svenksa Eldvatten (Swedish Firewater).  They are independent bottlers of Whisky, Rum and Gin.  Ran by Tommy Andersen and Peter Sjögren,who both have a long history with Scotch Whisky.

    Which may go some way to explain why they sought out and bottled this particular rum.  The Rum Swedes seek out single barrels of rum and issue them at Cask Strength.

    The rum was distilled at WIRD in 2000 and was bottled in 2013 at a cask strength of 58.8%.  Only 215 bottles of this rum were available.  As is common with rum it was aged in ex-bourbon barrels.  In the UK this was available in very limited quantites and retailed at around £90 per bottle.  It is noted as being Cask Number 36.

    Bottlings of independent rum from WIRD and Foursquare distillery on Barbados are not particularly uncommon, so without further information it would be easy to find this rum to be pretty unremarkable, aside perhaps from the Cask Strength issue.

    The packaging is minimalistic but I like the stubby bottle and the cork stopper is always a bonus.  The presentation is clear and uncluttered a little like Mezan.  The name Rum Swedes would make it, for me jump off the shelf as its different and quirky.

    At some stage (not sure when or by whom) this rum was identified as a “Rockley Still” rum which is what makes it more interesting to the Rum Aficionado.  It was Steven James of Rum Diaries Blog who sent me my sample – he has a great interest and love of the “Rockley Still” rums.  He also published an essay by Nikos Arvanitis regarding the mythical Rockley Still.  It’s well worth a read.  I would urge you to take the time to read over it.

    Rockley Still rums offer an altogether different experience to most, if not all Bajan rums.  They are best described as a mixture of Heavy Caroni and St Lucian Pot Still rums.  There are tarry, petrol like notes but also elements of slightly salty/sour bourbon nuances. It nods in a couple of directions but comes down as very much its own style.  It has a kind of Marmite type appeal much like Caroni.  It’s as far from Plantation Barbados 5 Year Old as you can get!

    RUM SWEDES LOGOSo lets see how this one goes down.

    First up the colour of this spirit its very light a straw like colour suggesting no added caramel, it also has a few small particles and perhaps a little cloudiness suggesting no chill filtering.

    The nose is big and immediately I am put in mind of St Lucia distillers 1931 series – turned up a notch or two.  Its intense.  A few drops of water allow less of the heavy Pot Still and the raw petrol like “fumes” to dominate giving way to some more gentle notes – vanilla and some more floral notes.

    In the mouth the feel is very hot, with an almost pepper like heat.  It takes quite a lot of taming with water to bring out the full falvour of this rum. When you do hit the sweet spot though the rum becomes very intriguing, the entry is sweet apricot, vanilla a lot of Anise, which gives way to a spicy, oaked, oily and slightly peppered mouthfeel.  The finish is very long slightly salty and dry.

    In many ways this rum defies logic – nose needs turning down to get all the notes but is best taken at full strength to appreciate all its flavours.  The anise notes are quickly lost.

    It’s a beast all right and not for the faint hearted but if you like dry, unsweetened and intense rum this might well be for you.  This rum hasn’t enjoyed a Sherry Finish that the more recognisable Bristol Rockley Still 1986 bottlings have. As a result it offers a more intense slightly less refined and drier profile.

    A very interesting rum to try and one with a lot going on.  Not everything might be perfect – it’s still a little to tarry and petrol like for me personally, but its is without doubt a very good rum.

    4 stars

  • S.B.S – Single Barrel Selection Barbados 2008 Marsala Cask

    Bythefatrumpirate

    SBS Barbados 2008 Marsala Cask Rum Review by the fat rum pirateS.B.S – Single Barrel Selection Barbados 2008 Marsala Cask. Single Barrel Selection is part of the 1423 groups output. Formed in 2008 1423 are based in Denmark and are headed up by co-owners Thomas Vogensen, Parminder S Bhatia and Joshua Singh.

    1423 seek out single casks of rum and also bottle blends of rum in their Companera range. Their range has recently become more prominent in the UK thanks to Skylark Spirits who are importing the 1423 rums into the UK. Should you wish to learn more about 1423 they have a very informative website here.

    Single Barrel Selection Barbados 2008 Marsala Cask is a rum which originally hailed from the Foursquare Rum Distillery. Probably the most popular distillery amongst enthusiasts at the moment. With the possible exception of the now defunct Caroni Distillery.

    This rum is from a single barrel which yielded 371 bottles. It was distilled back in 2008 and was bottled in Denmark in 2017. Prior to bottling the rum was aged for 12 months in Denmark in ex-Marsala casks. The Marsala itself was aged for 5 years. It is unclear when the rum was originally brought to Europe, so I don’t know the percentage of Continental European/Tropical ageing.

    The rum is currently available via Amazon priced at £89.99 for a 70cl bottle. The ABV on this one is 55% ABV. I am not sure if this is Cask Strength. I suspect not, it may have had some dilution in Denmark. It is noted as Non-Chill Filtered.

    Presentation wise the design is modern using a short stubby style bottle with a cork stopper. The rum also comes with a card sleeve with a cut out which means you can still read the details on the bottle. Information wise the rum displays number of bottles, year of distillation etc prominently on the front label. The card sleeve helps the bottle stand out a but more – it’s reminiscent of the Compagnie des Indes sleeves. Though the 1423 bottles aren’t quite as colourful and striking.

    In the glass Single Barrel Selection Barbados 2008 Marsala Cask is a dark reddish brown with orange flashes.

    The nose is very inviting with lots of coconut and vanilla present. Further nosing reveals some plum and blackberry. Almost like a Mixed Fruit Jam.The Marsala cask finish is quite evident giving this rum a sweeter nose than you would encounter, in say Foursquare 2005 or Rum Sixty Six. There is a zesty freshness to the end of the nose and a slight spiciness – and a touch of smoke.

    Sipped at the full 55% ABV this is very drinkable and very nicely done. The sip reveals more oak influence from the ex-bourbon maturation. Really nice notes again of the coconut followed by vanilla and some real good lemon zest. Tingly spices from the bourbon cask give this a really nice complex mouthfeel.

    The mid palate is perhaps where the Marsala cask is most noticeable. Once the coconut and vanilla fade we are re-acquainted with the rich fruity notes – plum, tangerine and some blackberries/currants.

    Finish wise it is quite a dry finish. Lots of woody oak notes and some real bourbon like notes. It’s light, refreshing. I like the way the initial sip, mid palate and finish all evolve and move into very different territories. It’s a really complex sip.

    The Marsala cask doesn’t dominate this rum or take away any of the qualities that were present prior to the second maturation. Instead it adds a subtle extra layer of fruitiness which makes this rum different enough to warrant a purchase.

    Price wisSBS Barbados 2008 Marsala Cask Rum Review by the fat rum piratee it is “expensive” should you compare it to Foursquare’s own releases. Ultimately it will depend on how much you need to try every Foursquare around. I would opt for something like this, with a different finish to many of the Indie bottlings currently available.

    Believe me whilst a Indie bottling of Foursquare aged for around 12 years in ex-bourbon barrels is great – I wouldn’t say it is any better than the distilleries own bottlings. Some aren’t quite as good or two, three times the price.

    As Foursquare have released so many of their own bottlings recently, this may only be for the hardcore. That said I have noticed that a number of enthusiasts have still been buying this. I doubt the 371 bottles will last very much longer.

    1423 were responsible for the second maturation of the Worthy Park bottlings. The Marsala and Oloroso finish limited editions. They have also worked with Worthy Park again on their new editions. Stand by for the reviews – they are on the way. So it is safe to say they know what they are doing when it comes to this kind of secondary maturation/finish.

    A slightly different take on classic Foursquare and a very tasty rum to boot. Didn’t even need dilution at 55% ABV.

    Well worth a look.

     

  • S.B.S. Guadeloupe Red Cane Single Origin Rum

    Bythefatrumpirate

    S.B.S. Guadeloupe Red Cane Single Origin Rum review by the fat rum pirateS.B.S. Guadeloupe Red Cane Single Origin Rum.

    S.B.S or Single Barrel Selection are part of the Danish outfit 1423 World Class Spirits. An Independent bottler that has spent the last few years building a reputation for doing things properly transparent rum, no additives, no nonsense and a portfolio stretching across more than 50 distilleries worldwide.

    Their Origin line sits alongside the aged S.B.S bottlings. Instead of hunting for matured barrels, the Origin series aims to show rum “as it is”. So here we have white rums often fresh from the still unaged or simply “rested” rather than matured in oak. Without filtration or any other unnecessary fiddling about. The idea is simple if you want to understand a distillery’s raw DNA, you start with its “blanc”.

    Guadeloupe is a good place to do exactly that. The island produces Agricole Rhum from Fresh Sugarcane Juice, much like Martinique, but without the AOC rules dictating every last detail.

    That lack of tight regulation gives Guadeloupe’s producers a little more freedom. So when SBS picked up an unaged Cane Juice rum distilled from Red Cane on a traditional Creole Column Still, the expectation was always going to be something grassy, lively and characterful.

    S.B.S. Guadeloupe Red Cane Single Origin Rum has been bottled at 57% ABV with no ageing, no finishing, and no cask influence whatsoever. In the UK a 70cl bottle will set you back around £50-55 there is still stock available here.

    The actual distillery remains officially uncredited something independent bottlers do regularly. What we do know is that it was distilled on a traditional Creole column still somewhere on Basse-Terre, using fresh Sugarcane Juice from the Red Stemmed “Red Cane” varietal. This cane is prized locally for its aromatic intensity, producing distillates that are bright, vegetal, lightly floral, and naturally fruity.

    I did take an educated guess and said Longueteau but I was wrong this rhum actually hails from the Montebello Distillery. If you wish to speculate, whilst I won’t say where and how I obtained this information. I know its right……

    S.B.S. Guadeloupe Red Cane Single Origin Rum review by the fat rum pirateSo that is all my information exhausted lets get on with the tasting.

    Do I really need to explain how this appears in the glass? No I thought not

    From the first sniff, this Red Cane rum hits hard in the right way. Fresh-cut grass leaps out backed by lime zest and a bright vegetal earthiness.

    There’s a soft sweetness underneath Red Berries, Tropical fruit and a touch of brine. Further nosing reveals a hint of floral herbs and some mineral-ey ness.

    It smells green, alive and energetic but never too aggressive. It’s more like a spring meadow than a machete through the jungle.

    On the palate it delivers exactly what the nose promises. That classic Agricole Vegetal/Grassy  core is there. Citrus pops up as well alongside Redcurrants and other Dark Fruits.  A touch of salt keeps it grounded. Earthy undertones add a nice complexity.

    The mid palate shows some of the Tropical Fruits that were on the nose Papaya and a touch of Mango. The 57% ABV gives it presence but it’s warm rather than heated. Fruity, grassy, a touch spicy this is a rhum that doesn’t need oak to impress.

    The finish is medium to long, bright and clean. Grassy, citrusy freshness lingers alongside subtle mineral notes and a faint sweetness from the cane. This is pure cane juice and it leaves the mouth feeling fresh and clean.S.B.S. Guadeloupe Red Cane Single Origin Rum review by the fat rum pirate

    This bottle is surprisingly versatile. Neat, it’s a revelation for fans of unaged cane juice rum honest, upright, and pure. Add a drop of water and the vegetal edges relax, revealing more fruit nuance. In cocktails, it’s a different animal entirely sharp enough to cut through citrus in a Ti’ Punch or Daiquiri but complex enough to hold its own without getting lost behind the sweetness.

    If you’re chasing an honest look at Guadeloupe cane juice distilled with nothing more than water, yeast, and skill, this is one of the better examples out there. It doesn’t try to be the biggest, wildest, or fanciest agricole you’ll ever taste. It simply is something true to its origin. Bright, grassy, citrusy, and a touch salty in all the right ways.

    I really enjoyed this one

     

  • Foursquare Mandamus

    Bythefatrumpirate

    Foursquare Mandamus. Here we have another word that I never heard or come across before………Mandamus is Latin for “we command”, a legal term referring to a court order compelling action.Foursquare Mandamus Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    It’s a suitably assertive name, and one that feels very much in keeping with the Foursquare ECS range. These releases no longer arrive as curiosities or experiments, they arrive with a certain expectation attached. Foursquare Mandamus is not here to introduce anyone to the Foursquare Rum Distillery, nor is it designed to broaden its appeal. It assumes a certain level of familiarity and interest from the outset. It knows its target audience.

    The ECS formula is well established: a pot and column still blend from Barbados, with long tropical ageing often given a secondary maturation (but not always) in casks other than ex-bourbon which is then bottled at cask strength. In this case the talking point is a finishing period in Port caks. Which was one of the earliest ECS releases Port Cask Finish.  Wine finishes will always be contentious in rum circles especially Fortified sweeter “wines”, often for good reason. When handled poorly, they can overwhelm the spirit, pushing everything toward sweetness. When handled well, they can add structure, depth, and contrast. Foursquare’s track record suggests the latter will occur.

    Foursquare Mandamus was bottled at 64% ABV, released in the usual stubby 70cl bottle and landed in the UK at around £100 in late 2025. That price point will inevitably cause debate, particularly given how ECS pricing has steadily crept upward over the years. At the same time, consistency and transparency remain central to the brand’s appeal. Whatever else you think about the cost, you know exactly what you’re getting and what you’re not.

    There’s also an increasing sense that these releases are now aimed squarely at an established audience. They’re not designed to convert newcomers or soften the category’s edges. Foursquare Mandamus feels like a rum that expects its drinker to meet it halfway, rather than one that attempts to charm its way into favour.

    Foursquare Mandamus Rum Review by the fat rum pirateSo lets get on with the good bit…….

    Nosing  the first impression of Foursquare Mandamus is unmistakably dry and oak-led. Dark cherries, red grapes and raisins sit at the forefront,. This is followed by toasted wood, vanilla and cocoa powder.

    The Port influence is clearly present, but it manifests as firmness and tannin rather than sweetness or overly sweet jammy fruit. At 64% ABV the alcohol is evident, but it remains controlled and clean.

    On the sip. The Dark fruits lead  to begin with cherry, raisin and plum — We then get oak, dark chocolate and a touch of black coffee and warming spice. The Port finish adds definition rather than softening it. This is not a rich or glossy ECS release; it’s one that prioritises balance. The high strength carries flavour confidently across the palate without becoming aggressive. Foursquare Mandamus rewards slow, deliberate drinking.

    Finish wise its long, persistent, and drying. Oak, cocoa, spice, and red fruit skins linger well after the sip, gradually fading rather than dropping away. The tannic edge remains present to the end.

    This is a confident and assertive entry in the ECS range and one that leans hard into dryness and structure rather than easy appeal. It won’t be universally loved or as crowd pleasing as some of the slightly softer previous releases. Those who favour richer, sweeter, or softer profiles may find it challenging.Foursquare Mandamus Rum Review by the fat rum pirate

    The Zinfandel finish has been applied with a steady hand, adding complexity without over shadowing the underlying distillate.

    The question of value remains more complicated. At £100, expectations are understandably high, and comparisons with earlier, cheaper ECS releases are inevitable. That said, judged purely on quality, balance, and intent, Foursquare Mandamus stands comfortably among the stronger modern releases. It’s a rum that knows exactly what it’s trying to achieve — and achieves it without compromise.

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