Mark XXII in the Exceptional Cask series sees the brand put their beautiful rum back in Cognac barrels, this time from famed Cognac house Camus. Two separate lots of blended pot and column still rum, both 14 years old, were combined for this release. The first was aged in ex-Bourbon barrels for 5 years before being re-casked in Cognac barrels for the remaining 9 years. The other lot was aged for 12 years in ex-Bourbon and then just 2 years in the Camus casks. This is a slightly different approach from the many of the releases we have seen from the distillery which were blended from lots completely aged in different kinds of casks. 

 

The aroma presents toasted banana chip, caramelized pineapple, and bright tree fruits layered on top of pipe tobacco, cigar wrapper, and leather. The palate is rich and full with bright acidity. Chocolate covered figs, blackberry pie, and rich caramel give way to gorgeous acidity - fresh peaches evolving into grilled peach - with a distinctive and familiar "Foursquare" tropical undertone of pineapple and toasted coconut. Bottled at a full cask strength of 61% abv. V