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Four Gate Batch 4 Split Stave By Kelvin

$175.00
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Whiskey Review: Four Gate Batch 4 Split Stave By Kelvin

We review Four Gate Batch 4 Split Stave By Kelvin, a Kentucky bourbon blend finished in special, re-coopered casks from Kelvin Cooperage.
  • Melissa D. Jones, globetrotting whiskey aficionado.
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Tasting Notes:

About:
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – a blend of 5.5 year mash bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley and a 12 year mash bill: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted Barley; Non-chill filtered; 115.6 proof; 2,700 bottles; Available starting in December 2019, Kentucky and Tennessee only; priced around $175 per 750 ml bottle. Color: Chestnut sherry
Appearance:
Nose:
There’s a spicy floral scent like a bouquet of fresh flowers.
Palate:


Finish:
Comments:
With a splash of water Four Gate Batch 4 Split Stave bourbon gets more character and a richer nose. It becomes less floral and more like a wilted honey suckle. Without the water it’s got a lot more heat on both the nose and the palate. I could definitely taste that oaky char from the barrels but it smooths out with the touches of cinnamon and caramel sweetness.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by Four Gate Whiskey Company. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link towards the bottom of this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.

Four Gate Whiskey Company did something very unique for this particular batch of whiskey. The team at Kelvin Cooperage used staves from different barrels that they charred, some as #2 char and some as #4 char combined with others that were toasted, before taking them apart to reassemble into these new, innovative casks. This resulting zebra patterned casks were coined “Split Stave” Chief Barrel Officer, Bob D’Antoni. It not only seems genius but they also look very beautiful, maybe a bit circus like.

What went into those Split Stave barrels was a blend of two different whiskies. One of those whiskies was a five and a half year old straight Kentucky bourbon and the other was a twelve year old straight Kentucky bourbon. This two whiskey blend stayed in the Split Stave barrels for five months before being bottled and shared as this limited release, batch 4.

Not only is this a very limited release with only 2,700 bottles of this whiskey but it’s also only available in Kentucky and Tennessee. I’m not sure how long it will stay around so make sure to grab a bottle while you can if you’re in that area or maybe ask a friend to grab one for you. Batch 5 has already been released but it’s not anything like Batch 4. Only Four Gate knows if they’ll recreate this experiment. I’m guessing, or maybe hoping, they will.

Four Gate Batch 4 Split Stave By Kelvin
Four Gate Batch 4 Split Stave By Kelvin (image via Four Gate)

Tasting Notes: Four Gate Batch 4 Split Stave by Kelvin

Vital Stats: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – a blend of 5.5 year mash bill: 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley and a 12 year mash bill: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted Barley; Non-chill filtered; 115.6 proof; 2,700 bottles; Available starting in December 2019, Kentucky and Tennessee only; priced around $175 per 750 ml bottle.

Color: Chestnut sherry

Nose: There’s a spicy floral scent like a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Palate: This whiskey is a bit hot without added water drops. After adding a touch of water the flavors that seem to come out most are oak and caramel with a cinnamon heat. It’s a very warming whiskey.

Melissa Jones

Melissa D. Jones is a traveler, blogger, photographer, storyteller, foodie, whiskey enthusiast, and creative entrepreneur. Her thirst for adventure and new experiences has led her to photograph all 50 states and 47 countries, a journey she chronicled in her travel book. When she's not exploring the globe, Melissa resides in Portland, Oregon, where she enjoys attending events, savoring whiskey, and hiking. She has sampled over 100 different whiskies, both locally and internationally.

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