Quick Fire Rum Tasting Notes

Foursquare Magisterium

Single Traditional Barbados Blended Rum

58% ABV / RRP: £95.00

Nose: A bevy of Bourbon and Sherry steeped sultanas, stewed prunes, dried apricots and Seville orange peel kick off the nasal niceties. Followed by notes of Tiramisu, banana bread, dark chocolate Bounty bar, Fry’s Turkish delight, mixed spice and freshly polished oak furniture.

Palate: A warming wave of wood spice, more of those Bourbon and Sherry steeped sultanas, grilled pineapple rings, dried mango, mixed citrus peel and strawberries dusted lightly with black pepper kick off the palatable pleasures. Followed by notes of dark chocolate salted caramels, desiccated coconut, Haagen-Dazs Dulce De Leche ice cream, gingernut biscuits, strong English breakfast tea, Madeira cherry cake and oodles of opulent oak.

Finish: A long, lingering and ever evolving finish, that highlights the quality of its journey from cane to cask, and the skill and artistry of its blending. 

Summary: All the majestic majesty of the Magisterium! As rare as hens’ teeth if you can still find a bottle anywhere, this latest release from Foursquare’s very aptly named Exceptional Cask Selection, has been matured for 16 years and produced using a combination of Bourbon and Sherry matured column and double retort pot distilled rums. Never mind this just being another sensory story, every sip opens up and delivers an enticing and enchanting new chapter! 

As they continue to produce beautifully bold, balanced and bountiful rums like this, it's no wonder why the Barbados based Foursquare distillery keeps winning awards including the prestigious IWSC Rum Producer of the year. I’m already looking forward to the thrill of the chase of their next release!

Jura Tweet Tasting

More industry leading, social media based dramfotainment you ask? Well as ever allow us to very gladly oblige!

Continuing our teeming throng of industry leading Tweet Tastings (the original series of virtual tastings) over on Twitter / X, we’re delighted to announce that on November 13th we’ll be teaming up again with our very good friends at the Jura Distillery, for another epic evening of sensory story driven, Tweet Tasting action.

The final dramming line-up is all hush hush for now, but teasingly I can say that you’re in for a real Tweet Tasting treat! So if you fancy taking part in what promises to be a joyous and jubilant evening of all things Jura click here to register your interest by emailing your name, address, date of birth, mobile number and Twitter / X handle. Please also remember to mark the subject line of the email: #JuraWhisky

The closing date to register is October 28th. If you’re registering, please make sure that you will actually be free on the night to take part!

Even if you're not one of our lucky selected Tweet Tasters, it'd be great to have you following the evening’s dramfotainment. So we look forward to seeing you over on Twitter / X on November 13th from 19:00 GMT via hashtag #JuraWhisky

Registration open to over 21's only!

For more information on Jura, visit: jurawhisky.com

@TheWhiskyWire

@jurawhisky

#BePartOfTheDramfotainment

#TheHomeOfTheTweetTasting

#TheOriginalSeriesOfVirtualTastings

133rd Whisky Insiders Interview - Alasdair Stevenson

Company:
Turntable Spirits Limited

Job:

Co-Founder
Website:

turntablespirits.com
Socials:

@turntablespirits

How long have you been working in the whisky industry?
I’ve worked in the whisky industry for 12 years, having joined The BenRiach Distillery Co. straight out of university in 2012.
 
What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
Undoubtedly, partnering with my brother, Gordon, and taking the leap to go out on our own and launch Turntable Spirits in 2023.
 
Can you remember your first dram, and indeed what it was?
My Dad, Graham, has worked in the industry for many years, so there was always a good selection of whiskies in the cupboard. The one that really resonates and takes me back is Old Pulteney 12 Year Old.
 
What does whisky mean to you?
It’s difficult to put into words what whisky means to me. I think “connection” and “pride” probably capture the feeling best. Connection, in all the fantastic memories made and times shared over a dram with great people. And pride that our small country has produced this incredible spirit that is enjoyed all over the world and offers those moments of connection to so many.
 
Where would you like to see yourself in five years’ time?
Starting Turntable together with Gordon has been incredible and whilst we’ve been delighted with the response so far, we believe there is so much potential to drive the brand forward and that’s exactly what we want to be doing. We want to change the perception that blends are inferior to single malts and showcase just how exciting this category can be.
 
What was your last dram?
It was our Turntable Spirits – Track 4 – One Way or Another. A blend comprised of 30% Strathclyde first-fill Bourbon barrels, 21% Invergordon ex-Red wine  barrels, 15% Cameronbridge ex-Marsala barrels, Cameronbridge ex- Madeira barrels and 22% Linkwood first-fill Bourbon barrels.
 
Do you have a favourite whisky and food pairing combination?
I remember hosting a tasting in Vancouver years ago and pairing the BenRiach 10 Year Old Curiositas (peated) with oysters, and it worked beautifully.
 
What’s your favourite time and place to enjoy a dram?
A really hard question to answer. Catching up with old friends in a great whisky bar, a post dinner dram in a comfortable chair with some great songs playing, out on a hike, at the turn on the golf course to help me get through the back 9… there are so many great occasions to enjoy a dram.
 
What do you think is going to be the next big thing on the whisky horizon?
There’s so much innovation coming through and loads to be excited about. From our point of view, the response we’ve had since launching Turntable has been incredible and it makes me really excited about the future of blended whisky. We feel this is often an underappreciated category and hope we can help change that.  
 
What’s the one dram you couldn’t live without?
Old Pulteney 12 Year Old – a great dram but also nostalgic for me.
 
Many thanks to Alasdair Stevenson. Who will be our next Whisky Insider? Click back soon to find out!