Introduction
I picked up the Foursquare ECS Mandamus largely out of curiosity. I’ve long respected Foursquare’s approach to rum—transparent, consistent, and unapologetically rooted in traditional methods. Mandamus caught my attention immediately because of its cask choice: ex-Port. I’m always intrigued by how fortified wine barrels influence rum, and knowing that it was bottled at full cask strength, I expected something assertive and richly layered.
Nose
The nose is unmistakably Foursquare—structured and bold—but that Port cask finish brings something unique. I immediately got notes of ripe blackberries and raspberry jam, sitting atop a familiar core of vanilla, toasted coconut, and brown sugar. There’s underlying oak, of course, but it feels more polished than aggressive. Some cinnamon and a touch of leather creep in with a bit of time in the glass, giving the whole aroma an inviting and well-rounded character.
Palate
On the palate, Mandamus doesn’t hold back. The alcohol is intense—this is 61% ABV, after all—but it’s not harsh. The flavour carries through with the dark stone fruits promised by the nose. I found hints of fig, raisin, even a trace of cherry, balanced with warming spices like nutmeg and clove. The Port influence is very much present but doesn’t overpower the core rum profile: molasses, oak, and that unmistakable Foursquare dry finish.
The texture is oily and mouth-coating. A drop or two of water opens things up, softening the heat and letting the fruit expand, revealing subtle notes of pipe tobacco and dark chocolate.
Finish
The finish is long and grippy. There’s a chewy tannic quality—likely from the port cask—that works beautifully with the dried fruit and spice. I kept getting remnants of cherry pipe tobacco and bitter cocoa as it lingered. It’s not a sweet rum by any stretch; despite those port notes, the dryness and structure take centre stage in the closing moments.
Price and Value
This release wasn’t cheap—running around the higher end of Foursquare’s Exceptional Cask Series. But in terms of what’s delivered in the glass, I didn’t feel short-changed. It’s cask strength, aged rum with transparency and a unique maturation profile, and that combination still feels rare. If you're into bold, dry rums with a complex finish, it justifies the price.
Background
Foursquare Distillery, located in Saint Philip, Barbados, has earned a serious following for its uncompromising standards. The Foursquare Distillery line of Exceptional Cask Series rums has become a recurring favourite in enthusiast circles, and Mandamus fits squarely within that legacy.
This edition leans into the fortified wine cask trend, using ex-Port barrels to finish the spirit. It’s a blend of pot and column still rums matured in Barbados’ tropical climate, with no additives and bottled at natural strength—something Foursquare has consistently emphasized. “Mandamus,” by the way, is a Latin legal term that implies obligation or duty, which seems on-brand for the distillery’s ethos of honest rum-making.
Final Notes
Would I buy Mandamus again? Yes—though it wouldn’t be my daily pour. It’s more of a focused dram for quiet evenings when you want to sit with something that demands attention. For someone new to rum or cask strength spirits, this one might feel overwhelming straight away, especially given the dryness and ABV. Water helps bring it into more accessible territory without losing what's special.
As for when to enjoy it, I’d say it suits late nights or shared moments with whisky drinkers who appreciate dry, cask-driven complexity. Compared to other rums from Barbados, it leans drier and spicier than something like Doorly’s or even Foursquare’s earlier Port cask attempts.
Mandamus isn’t a rum that caters to casual sweetness or easy sipping—it's structured, serious, and best approached with time and patience. But for those who appreciate that style, it’s deeply rewarding.