Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XXXI Epilogue Rum

Foursquare Exceptional Cask Selection Mark XXXI "Epilogue": The Final Word

Every great series deserves a final word. This is Foursquare's. For eighteen years, the Exceptional Cask Selection didn't just release rum, it rewrote the rules. Hand-selected and blended by fourth-generation Master Distiller Richard Seale, the ECS became the global benchmark for purity, full-proof bottling, and honest tropical aging at a time when much of the category still hid behind added sugar and coloring. Thirty-one Marks later, the story ends here. Epilogue is the final chapter, and Seale saved something extraordinary for the close.

At 19 years old, Mark XXXI is the oldest rum Foursquare has ever released, nearly two decades of full maturation in the Barbadian heat, where the tropical climate ages spirit at several times the pace of a cooler one. Epilogue is a single blended rum combining pot and column still distillate, produced and matured entirely on-site in Barbados, then aged fully in ex-bourbon barrels made from American white oak. It's bottled at a robust 57% ABV (114 proof) with no added sugar, no coloring, and no chill filtration, true to the ECS philosophy from its very first release back in 2008.

Despite its extraordinary age, Epilogue doesn't come across as heavy or overly oaky. Instead, it offers a surprisingly smooth, fruity, and elegant character that stands as both the culmination and conclusion of one of the most influential rum series ever produced. For collectors who've followed the ECS from Mark I to this final release, or for anyone discovering Foursquare for the first time, Epilogue is a rare opportunity to own the closing chapter of rum history.

Tasting Notes

Epilogue opens with a complex aroma of dried pineapple, raisins, orange peel, ripe cherries, marzipan, dark chocolate, and caramel, layered with grapefruit and caramelized orange. The palate is rich and unctuous, offering toffee, nougat, butterscotch, and brown butter, with undertones of leather, tobacco, and tropical fruit. The finish is long and oily, with lingering honeyed sweetness and layered fruit character that gradually unfolds the longer it's savored.

Food Pairings

Epilogue's rich, dried-fruit-forward profile pairs beautifully with equally indulgent fare. Try it alongside aged gouda, charcuterie with dried fruit and nuts, or dark chocolate truffles, or lean into its caramel and toffee notes with crème brûlée, pecan pie, or a well-aged cigar for a classic after-dinner pairing.

Serving Suggestions

Epilogue is best enjoyed neat in a tasting glass or snifter. Let it rest for several minutes before sipping to allow the oak, citrus, toffee, dried fruit, leather, and tobacco notes to fully open. A few drops of water can help soften the 57% ABV and reveal even more brown butter, tropical fruit, dark chocolate, and spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this release significant? Epilogue is the 31st and final release in Foursquare's celebrated Exceptional Cask Selection series, which ran for 18 years and set the global standard for full-proof, additive-free rum. At 19 years old, it's also the oldest rum Foursquare has ever released.

What is the alcohol content? 57% ABV (114 proof).

How was it aged? Epilogue is a single blended rum of pot and column still distillate, aged 19 years entirely in ex-bourbon barrels in Barbados's tropical climate.

Are there any additives? No. Like every release in the ECS series, Epilogue contains no added sugar, no coloring, and is non-chill filtered.

Is this a good bottle for collectors? Absolutely. As the final release in one of the most influential rum series ever produced, and the oldest rum Foursquare has ever bottled, Epilogue is a must-have for serious rum collectors and ECS completists alike.

How should I enjoy it? Neat, in a tasting glass or snifter, allowing it to rest for several minutes before sipping to let its full complexity open up.

The Quality Liquor Store Guarantee

At Quality Liquor Store, we guarantee the authenticity and quality of every bottle we sell. All of our products are sourced directly from authorized distributors, and every order is carefully packaged to arrive safely at your door. Shop with confidence knowing your rare and limited-edition rums are in good hands.