Four Roses 135th Anniversary Small Batch Limited Edition 2023
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
54% ABV
$200
Website
We would like to thank Four Roses and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.
What the Distillery Says
Four Roses Bourbon, the award-winning Kentucky-based bourbon brand, announced it will launch its 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch on September 15, 2023. The release will be the 16th in its series of annual limited-quantity special bottlings, showcasing the brand’s unyielding commitment to craftsmanship and quality bourbon.
Bottled at 108 proof, the 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch features four hand-selected bourbon recipes: A 12-year-old and a 16-year-old OESV recipe, which features notes of delicate fruit and caramel; a 14- year-old OESK recipe, with notes of baking spice; and a 25-year-old OBSV recipe that boasts delicate fruit and rye flavors. A key differentiator for the distillery, Four Roses combines two mash bills with five proprietary yeast strains to create 10 distinct bourbon recipes, allowing for Master Distiller Brent Elliott to not only create consistency across the brand’s core product line, but to innovate and achieve an endless range of flavor profiles.
“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,” said Brent Elliott. “In crafting this blend, I wanted to create an elegant bourbon worthy of the brand’s heritage. Each of the 12-, 14-, and 16-year-old batches possess individual characteristics that complement each other perfectly. Once the ideal balance of these three batches was achieved, I looked at several other batches of various ages and recipes to add an extra layer of nuance to the blend. Ultimately I selected the 25-year-old OBSV, which melds perfectly with the other batches and adds additional complexity and depth.”
The 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch bourbon offers 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 out by the taste of ripe berries and pear that lead to a long mellow finish. The result is an exceptionally smooth bourbon made for sipping, and sharing with friends and family.
The release comes on the heels of the Four Roses’ recent brand refresh. Fans will see the new packaging details on the limited edition bottle, including the brand’s updated logo and an engraved rose cluster on the cork of the bottle.
Four Roses will distribute approximately 15,060 hand-numbered bottles of 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch at a suggested retail price of $199.99.
Recipes:
12-year-old OESV
14-year-old OESK
16-year-old OESV
25-year-old OBSV
What Gary Says
Nose: Oak, salted caramel, cherries, allspice, vanilla, mint, cinnamon, clove with a hint of worn leather.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with caramel, oak, honey, berries, bit of pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of dark chocolate.
Finish: Moderately long, slightly syrupy with oak, honey, berries and pepper.
Comments: Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition has always had a special place in my heart, as it was one of the first limited edition bourbons I purchased retail. The 125th anniversary was actually one of the last ones I was able to buy (and I still have that empty bottle, with Jim Rutledge’s signature, on a shelf). I have never tasted a Four Roses Small Batch LE that I didn’t think was pretty damned tasty, and this doesn’t break that streak. A very nice older bourbon, balanced well given its age between the oak and spice. A bit of water brings out some more fruit on the nose (grapes, pears and a subtle citrus vibe) while cutting the pepper back on the palate. While my sweet spot for bourbon is a bit younger than this, the single-story rickhouses that Four Roses uses allows for some older barrels that don’t get over-oaked. Every year what is selected for the Small Batch Limited Edition varies, but they have been consistently high quality, well balanced, nuanced, and delicious.