Richard Seale’s oldest-ever Foursquare release has spent more than two decades aging, with bourbon barrels, vintage Port pipes and a $1,700 price tag adding to the story.

There’s old rum, and then there’s rum that’s been aging long enough to see a few generations of cocktail trends come and go. The Last Drop Distillers is getting into some serious aged-rum territory with its new 22 Year Old Barbados Rum, a limited release created by Richard Seale of Foursquare Distillery. It’s also the oldest rum Foursquare has ever released.

Called Release No. 43, it marks the first rum Signature Creation for The Last Drop, a company known for putting rare, long-aged spirits in front of collectors. And with just 566 bottles available worldwide, this isn’t something you’re likely to stumble across while picking up a bottle for the weekend Daiquiris.

Of course, at a suggested retail price of $1,700, it probably wasn’t headed for the bargain shelf anyway.

Two Decades and a Few Interesting Barrels

Seale, a fourth-generation rum maker and one of Barbados’ best-known distillers, started with a 2004 blend and had a particular aging journey in mind. The rum moved through a second ex-bourbon cask before spending its final three years in very old Port pipes.

That last stop is an interesting part of the story. Port casks can contribute layers of dried fruit, richness and spice, giving a mature spirit another dimension without necessarily burying the character underneath. The idea, as Seale describes it, was to let the rum develop patiently, with the wood supporting the spirit rather than taking over.

That’s a philosophy worth paying attention to in an age when barrel finishes seem to be showing up everywhere. More time in wood doesn’t automatically mean better whiskey or rum. The trick is knowing when the cask has done enough.

Foursquare, located on a historic estate in St. Philip, Barbados, has a long connection to the island’s sugar and rum-making history. Under Seale, the distillery has combined traditional rum-making practices with modern technical approaches. This release offers a look at what that experience can do when the goal is a rum built for long-term aging.

What’s in the Glass?

The 22-year-old rum comes in at 106 proof, or 53% alcohol by volume, so it’s no lightweight despite all those years in the barrel.

The tasting notes suggest a spirit with plenty going on. Marzipan, grapefruit zest, ripe plum and tropical guava lead the way on the nose, with a touch of black licorice. On the palate, the profile moves toward dried mint and eucalyptus, followed by pineapple, tart redcurrant, treacle and baking spices.

The finish brings dry tobacco leaf and clove into the picture.

That’s a fairly wide range of flavors, moving from bright citrus and tropical fruit to darker, earthier notes. The combination also hints at why the rum’s age is only part of the story. A spirit can spend 22 years in a barrel and emerge soft and mellow, but the more interesting ones retain some energy and contrast.

If those tasting notes hold up in the glass, this should be a rum worth taking slowly, neat, and with enough time to see how it changes as it opens. At 106 proof, a few drops of water might also be worth trying.

A Collector’s Bottle, No Question

The packaging makes it clear that The Last Drop sees this as a special release. Each 700ml bottle is individually numbered, signed by Seale and accompanied by a certificate verifying its bottling. The rum was bottled by hand at Foursquare in April 2026, and each bottle comes in a handcrafted wooden case.

There’s also a 50ml miniature, along with a tasting book for recording impressions.

That miniature may be the most practical part of the presentation. It gives buyers a chance to try the rum before deciding what to do with the full-size bottle. At this price, that’s a sensible option. Not every expensive bottle needs to become a permanent fixture behind glass, but it’s nice to know what you’re buying before you open the big one.

The rum is scheduled to reach retailers, bars and restaurants through Sazerac’s distribution network beginning in October 2026, with a suggested retail price of $1,700 before applicable taxes and fees.

Whether that price makes sense depends on what you’re looking for. For someone who simply wants a very good rum to enjoy after dinner, there are plenty of less expensive options. For collectors interested in Foursquare, Richard Seale’s work and a milestone in the distillery’s release history, the appeal is a different calculation.

Age Is One Thing. Character Is Another.

The Last Drop’s latest release is a reminder that premium rum deserves some of the same attention given to well-aged whiskey and Cognac. Barbados has a deep rum-making tradition, and Foursquare has built a reputation around letting the spirit speak for itself rather than relying on sweetness or flashy finishing tricks.

A 22-year-old rum isn’t automatically extraordinary just because the calendar says so. But the combination of Seale’s approach, the second bourbon-cask maturation and those final years in old Port pipes makes this one an interesting addition to the conversation.

With only 566 bottles available, most of us may have to settle for reading about it or finding a pour at a well-stocked bar. Still, it’s a fascinating release to watch, especially for anyone who enjoys seeing what happens when a skilled distiller gives a spirit plenty of time and a carefully considered place to spend it.

And if you happen to have $1,700 set aside for rum, well, now you have another bottle to think about.