Four Roses Distillery will release its 18th annual Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon on September 3, featuring a unique blend of three bourbon recipes aged between 13 and 19 years.
The Kentucky distillery announced the launch of approximately 16,854 bottles at a suggested retail price of $249. The 109-proof bourbon combines four hand-selected batches from the distillery’s 10 distinct bourbon recipes. This year’s release includes a 13-year-old OBSV, a 13-year-old OBSK, a 13-year-old OESV, and a 19-year-old OESV bourbon. The blend stands out for its inclusion of the aged 19-year-old component, which adds depth to the final product.
“Year after year, we look to create a unique expression that highlights the best of what our ten recipes can offer,” said Brent Elliott, Four Roses Master Distiller. “When blending this year’s release, I was drawn to the 13-year-old V batches that showcase pronounced delicate fruit and sweet barrel tones.”
The official tasting notes describe sweet apricot, vanilla, caramel, black tea leaves, hints of rye, and mellow oak on the nose. The palate reveals flavors of apricot, hints of citrus, crème brûlée, and antique spiced oak, with these same flavors lingering in a soft and long finish.
Dark copper. Almost amber.
Antique oak, red berries, clove and lavender honey, all spice, cinnamon, and classic bourbon brown sugar.
Dry and oily mouthfeel. Well aged oak, dark vanilla, rye spice, ripe apricots, and melted dark chocolates.
Buttery finish that holds on the tongue. There is a touch of yeast and smoke on the palate that grows into a warmth and hint of oak and brown sugar.
Another home-run from Four Roses and Brent Elliott. I had the privilege of participating in a community tasting with Mr. Elliott and got to hear all about what made this bourbon special for him and Four Roses.
Something unique about the small batch is every one is at least 10+ years old, barrel strength, non-chill filtered.
Outside of that, Mr. Elliott spends the majority of the first part of the year finding barrels and matching profiles for this yearly release. The goal is to find something unique, that hasn’t been done before, and brings out the best of what Four Roses does. This year the goal was “return to classic Four Roses profile with extra aging to make it more interesting.”
This year he chose to show off the V yeast strain and characteristics of Four Roses recipe. There were four casks (OBSV, OBSK, OESV 13 year, and OESV 19 year) in this blend. So here we are looking at both Four Roses mash bills (B & E) but highlight the one yeast strain (V). The V strain is the most commonly used yeast across Four Roses but it’s for a very specific reason, it’s popular. It speaks to people who love core Four Roses flavor,” says Mr. Elliott “V strain is most common strain and this captures that.”
The breakdown from Mr. Elliott essentially was – 19 years OESV at 10%, 13 year OESV at 35%, OBSK at 17%, and OBSV at 38%. There are 16,854 bottles produced, but many in the bourbon world know there could be 100,000 and the odds of finding one are slim. So good luck tracking one down. The price is steep at $249, but it’s worth the trouble.
