Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch (2023)
Four Roses uses two different mashbills and five different yeasts strains to create ten different bourbon recipes. Their standard 100 proof Single Barrel Bourbon uses one recipe, their standard Small Batch blends together four of the recipes, Small Batch Select blends together six of the recipes, and their flagship Four Roses Bourbon uses all ten. Limited releases and private selections can vary from the standard products but generally maintain the same number of recipes as their standard counterpart.
According to the company’s press release, the release is the 16th in its series of annual limited quantity special bottlings. Notably, it is the brand’s 135th anniversary, celebrating the company’s original establishment in 1888. It comes on the heels of the brand’s recent refresh, and the label will reflect the nuances of the changes recently put into place across the company’s product line.
Nose
The aroma beckons with an intriguing complexity, as notes of tobacco leaf and aged leather intertwine with seasoned oak. Allspice and a subtle touch of clove add layers of spice and depth. A delicate essence of pear lifts the composition, contributing to a complex and inviting introduction that balances age, sweet, and spice notes to pleasing results.
Palate
On the palate, the bourbon unveils a harmonious medley of flavors. Aged oak and tobacco seamlessly intertwine, while a hint of clove provides a gentle spice that enhances the profile. The presence of stone fruit, caramel, and brown sugar adds a welcome sweetness, creating a savory and satisfying blend. The creamy mouthfeel amplifies the notable balance achieved, showcasing the influence of older bourbon while infusing the palate with a vibrant and lively character that’s as engaging as it is enjoyable.
Finish
The finish is a captivating conclusion to the sip. The caramel sweetness deepens, accompanied by subtle waves of allspice and a delicate hint of cinnamon that add layers of warmth. Remnants of tobacco and clove continue to play on the taste buds, contributing to the whiskey’s intricate character. Unexpectedly, a touch of raspberry fruit emerges adding a splash of liveliness. The finish is long, allowing each flavor to linger and evolve, ensuring a memorable and contemplative end to the sip.
Uniqueness
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch releases are known for their uncompromising balance and refinement above all else. Often showcasing a marriage of oak driven by the higher age of the components along with fruit driven by their underlying component recipes, Four Roses releases tend to forgo the extremes bourbon can reach as a result. But what they lack in immediate wow factor, they often make up for with subtle nuance the more time you spend getting to know them.
This year’s Limited Edition Small Batch is about as good an example of an expertly blended straight bourbon as you’re going to find. While it’s made of four individual components, what’s interesting about Four Roses is not necessarily that the components are intended to reach bourbon extremes to achieve widely varying releases, rather they are created to find and control balance of the company’s products, ultimately ensuring consistency. As an example, the distillery’s flagship product, which is simply named Four Roses Bourbon, combines all ten of their recipes to make what ends up being a very straightforward bourbon that you would never guess included 10 specific components simply by tasting it
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Kirin Brewery Company
Distillery: Four Roses
Release Date: September 15, 2023
Proof: 108
Age: Blend of 12, 14, 16, and 25 year old bourbons
Mashbill: Blend of four batches, comprised of three different recipes:
40% OESK Recipe: 14 Years, 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
35% OESV Recipe: 12 Years, 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
20% OESV Recipe: 16 Years, 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
5% OBSV Recipe: 25 Years, 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Color: Bright Amber
MSRP: $200 (2023)
Written by Olivia Taylor
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