Four Roses Elliott’s Select Bourbon a First for New Distiller

The changing of the guard last year at popular Kentucky bourbon distillery Four Roses saw the retirement of master distiller and legend Jim Rutledge, who is now on a track to open his open distilling operation. Meanwhile, back at his old stomping grounds, successor master distiller Brent Elliott has taken over the stills, and now has his first limited-edition release coming to market.

Four Roses Elliott’s Select bourbon was personally hand selected by Elliott, and is said to be a 14-year-old whiskey of the OESK variety from this distillery’s lineup of 10 specific bourbon recipes. Approximately 8,000 bottles of this expression are being made available starting this month, bottled at a barrel strength of 58.4% ABV and pricing around $125 each.

“I’ve always been happiest when I’m so deep into a project that I lose track of time, and that’s exactly what happened when we began the process of selecting barrels for Elliott’s Select,” Elliott said in a statement. “There’s something unique about this 14-year-old Bourbon, and now that it has been bottled, I’m looking forward to taking a step back and hearing what our fans think.”

Limited official tasting notes on this bourbon from Four Roses suggestion a whiskey with

[S]ubtle aromas of peach jam, magnolia blossoms and light oak [that] preview the elegantly-balanced flavors of spiced vanilla, fresh nutmeg and delicate, ripe fruits. Sweet flavors of honey and light apricot linger in the finish. Its mellow character from beginning to end is very much a reflection of Elliott himself.

For those unfamiliar with Elliott, he formerly served as Four Roses’ director of quality, and has decades of experience at the distillery doing everything from applying his chemistry degree to evaluate bourbons in the tasting lab, to taking part in the selection of barrels for single barrel bottlings and limited edition products.

“Being master distiller is something I’ve found difficult to call a job because it’s a privilege and my passion,” added Elliott. “My focus continues to be what got me where I am, and what got the Four Roses brand where it is today, and that’s quality.”