February 2016

Four Roses OBSQ

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OBSQ, 10 years and 11 months old
54.2% ABV
$59.99
Website

The Recipe:

OBSO is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“B” mean that this is the higher rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 60% Corn, 35% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“Q” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a floral character onto the distillate

What Richard Says:
Nose: Grenadine, mint tea, jasmine, and clover.
Palate: This has a really nice layered richness to it. Cherry sweetness layered over jasmine and wisteria with a fresh mint note bringing up the back end.
Finish: This bottle finishes with kind of grassy note playing against the wood with a bit of black pepper teasing around the edges.
Comments: A great bottle of bourbon for sure. I don’t often get more floral notes from a bourbon but this one has it in spades. It’s also well layered and integrated. All around very enjoyable.
Rating: Must Try

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Four Roses OBSK

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OBSK, 9 years and 5 months old
59.1% ABV
$59.99
Website

The Recipe:
OBSK is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“B” mean that this is the higher rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 60% Corn, 35% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“K” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a slightly spicy character onto the distillate

What Richard Says:
Nose: Vanilla extract, cracked black pepper, cinnamon Red Hots, and wintergreen mint.
Palate: Another big hit of cinnamon Red Hots followed by vanilla creme brulee and 5th Avenue chocolate and toffee bars. Fighting it’s way to the front is a spicy mixture of cayenne, and habanero pepper notes. This one bites back!
Finish: Fresh mint and more vanilla play against another cayenne kick before it fades out to a medium oak finish.
Comments: I’m a little partial to this barrel because I helped pick it out. Even still, I step back and really appreciate the depth here. OBSK seems to be a pretty popular pick. More often than not I find store barrel selections in this recipe. I think that tells that it’s a drinkable approachable bourbon but also that you would have better luck finding an OBSK than many other recipe selections.
Rating: Must Try

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Four Roses OBSO

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OBSO, 11 years and 4 months old

55.4% ABV
$59.99
Website

What the Distillery Says

The Recipe:
OBSO is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“B” mean that this is the higher rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 60% Corn, 35% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“O” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a robust fruity flavor onto the distillate

What Richard Says:

Nose: Lush and fruity…poached red pears, orange zest, maraschino cherries, brown sugar, and a subtle mint backbone.
Palate: More cherries, orange marmalade, caramel syrup, and oak pervade. There is something else deliciously out of grasp that I can’t put my finger on.
Finish: Heavier on the oak than anything would foretell. Black pepper and a pinch of cayenne sneak up on you but a little water tames that right down.
Comments: I don’t necessarily have a favorite Four Roses recipe per se but this may be my favorite bottle ever purchased at the gift shop. This is a sterling example of the “robust fruity flavor” this recipe is supposed to bring to the table. Absolutely delicious.

Rating: Must Buy

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Four Roses OBSF

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection
Recipe OBSF, 11 years and 6 months old

61.47% ABV
$59.99
Website

What the Distiller Says

The Recipe:
OBSF is currently only available as a private selection bottling at the distillery gift shop or possibly at a local liquor store near you. Unlocking the recipe codes goes like this…

“O” starts all of Four Roses’ recipes and only means that it is made by Four Roses in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

“B” mean that this is the higher rye content of the two mashbills that Four Roses uses, specifically 60% Corn, 35% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley

“S” means that it is Straight Whiskey by U.S. Regulatory definition, again all their products carry this designation

“F” distinguishes the yeast strain used. This specific one impacts more of a lightly herbal note onto the distillate

What Richard Says:

Nose: The nose is a little more herbal and vegetal forward than readily available Four Roses expressions. The minty notes are there but much less prevalent than you would expect. Give it a little more time to air out or some water and a nice bit of cherry pushes forward.
Palate: On the palate this specific bottle is a little more muted. It has more in common with their Yellow Label than it does with the Small Batch or Single Barrel. Even at a very high bottling proof it drinks pretty easy. Oak, anise, toffee crisps, cocoa powder, spearmint, and cherry ice cream come to those that put in the time to peel back the layers.
Finish: This finishes like a great single barrel of Four Roses. Mint, dark fruits, and a nice balancing woodiness.
Comments: This is by no means my favorite recipe from Four Roses. Even so, it has goodg qualities. It is a very easy drinker that gives you a different key on a song you’ve heard before. The nose and finish really stand out but that muted palate is a little underwhelming.

Rating: Stands Out

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Four Roses 2014 Limited Edition Small Batch

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
2014 Release Bottle 4741 or 12516
55.9% ABV
$100
Website
four-roses-2014LESmallBatch_Front_US
What the Distillery Says:
From time to time, our Master Distiller selects a few exceptional barrels of our 10 Bourbon recipes to become Limited Edition releases. These special releases are barrel strength and non-chill filtered, so you get to savor them exactly as they come out of the barrel. We hope you look for them, find them and enjoy them. Because they’re some of the best Bourbons we’ve put in a bottle. Anytime. Ever.

If any Bourbon could present itself as both robust and refreshing, it would be this year’s Barrel Strength Limited Edition Small Batch. Created from 4 of our 10 distinct Bourbons, this bright spirit awakens the senses with light organ zest, glazed maple and fresh spearmint aromas. Delicate flavors of orange citrus and mellow honey share the moment with the uniquely aromatic taste of mild cloves. Light maple and cool mint define a finish perfectly long and smooth enough to make sure your next sip follows just in time to happily mingle with eh one before it.

The recipes: OBSK – 9 years * OBSV – 13 years * OESV – 12 years * OBSF – 11 years

What Gary Says:
Nose: Sweet spice with soft wood, floral, crème brulee with nutmeg, rye spice
Palate: Bright sweetness, caramel, cinnamon (Christmasy), subtle raisins and apples
Finish: Moderate in length; soft/moist landing
Comments: Damn nice bourbon, I’ve yet to be disappointed by a Small Batch Limited Edition and this is no exception. Each year is slightly different, and each vintage may not be right in everyone’s wheelhouse – but if you can find it at retail, this is a label I always feel safe buying without having trying.
Rating: Must Try

What Richard Says:
Nose: A monster this one is! Layers of mint, citrus, and burnt caramel come jumping out at you.
Palate: Glazed apple fritters, monkey bread, and a big walloping peppery minty smack in the mouth.
Finish: It finishes spicy and minty and then as the pepper moves to the edges of the tongue it’s all dry oak at the back. A dusting of cocoa powder covers everything.
Comments: Thank you mistress may I have another!?! This is a much more aggressive and less subtle edition for 2014. There is plenty of the Four Roses depth and finesse but it’s more a 250 pound quarterback dancing around the offensive line than a ballerina dancing around the stage.
Rating: Must Buy

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