Attention bourbon hunters: stamp a fat 4R on your calendar on September 15th.
On this fine Sunday, Four Roses is dropping just over 15,000 bottles worldwide of its Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon, which this year is dedicated to celebrating the company’s 135th Anniversary.
“This release celebrates 135 years of meticulously crafted, high-quality bourbon, and I’m excited to hear what our devoted consumers have to say about it. In crafting this blend, I wanted to create an elegant bourbon worthy of the brand’s heritage.”
— Brent Elliott, Four Roses Master Distiller
What's In The Bottle?
Four Roses relies on five yeast strains and two mashbills to create its 10-recipe arsenal from which Master Distiller Brent Elliot draws its blends. This 135th Anniversary batch comprises four bourbons, including a 12-and-16-year-old OESV recipe, a 14-year-old OESK recipe, and a 25-year-old OBSV recipe. Here is a quick breakdown explaining what this means.
OESV
Two bourbons, aged 12 and 16 years, were made from a recipe of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley. The yeast is Strain V, which imparts a delicate, fruit-driven profile.
OESK
This 14-year-old bourbon is the same grain recipe (75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley) as the OESV above. The difference lies in the Y yeast strain, which imparts intense baking spice notes.
OBSV
The 25-year-old bourbon in this blend is born of a spicy, high rye recipe of 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted but shares a common yeast strain with OESV, imparting more delicate fruit notes that are somehow intact after a quarter century of aging in the tumultuous Kentucky climate.
This 135 Anniversary Small Batch was bottled at 108 proof at a $200 MSRP.
“Each of the 12, 14, and 16-year-old batches possesses individual characteristics that complement each other perfectly. Once the ideal balance of these three batches was achieved, I selected the 25-year-old OBSV, which melds perfectly and adds additional complexity and depth.”
— Brent Elliott, Four Roses Master Distiller
How Does It Taste?
Company tasting notes promise delicate aromas of allspice, vanilla, and elegant oak, mingled with a hint of cinnamon and clove. The palate boasts rich layers of honey and rye spice, balanced by the taste of ripe berries and pear that lead to a long, mellow finish.
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