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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Roses for Valentine’s Day

/ / Bourbon, Richard's Blog

Ladies, we know you like your roses for Valentine’s Day. Did you know that the fellas like roses too? Four Roses to be exact. We will be posting reviews this week leading up to Valentine’s Day of several bottles of Four Roses we have around here at Whisk(e)y Apostle Headquarters. If none of those tickles your fancy then check our Review Archive for some of the other great bottles of Four Roses we’ve pontificated on. Or, for that matter, any other whiskeys that might tickle your fancy.

Cheers!

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The Black Grouse

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky /

The Black Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky
40% ABV
$25 to $30
Website
the-black-grouse-plain
What the Blender Says:
To create the distinct smokiness of The Black Grouse, we take our Famous blend and enhance it with specially selected peated malts. The resulting Black Grouse whisky has a distinctive peaty character, which comes through in spice and dried fruit flavours with a long aromatic finish, reminiscent of our Famous blend.

Appearance: Dark, Russet golden, Clear and bright
Aroma: Smoky, Soft and Musky, Rich and full
Taste: Full flavour, Spice and dried fruits, Smoke through the oak
Finish: Long, Smoky, Aromatic

What Richard Says:
Nose: A very vegetal and meaty peat.
Palate: Light fruity sweetness layered between a little pepper spice and soft handed smokey notes.
Finish: Subtle, with a long, slow build through herbal bitters to a heavy grass note.
Comments: This is not really a bowl you over dram. It stands out against it’s peers (Famous Grouse, Johnnie Walker Red, etc.) but falls short against heavier hitters. A pleasant enough dram but not something that sings ‘come back to me’.
Rating: Average

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SMWS Cask 39.99

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, SMWSA Whiskies /

SMWS Cask 39.99 Springtime in Andalucia
58.9% ABV
23 Year Old
Speyside Lossie Region
Distilled April 1990
Refill Hogshead

What the Bottler Says:
‘What a nose’ and ‘I could smell this all day’ were just two remarks before we noted aromas of toasted malt loaf with melted butter, freshly made peanut brittle, brandy snaps, raisins, sultanas and chocolate liqueur over apple and custard crumble – pure decadence. The taste is classic monkey bread oozing with warm caramel and cinnamon, chopped walnuts, raisins and brown sugar. With the addition of water the nose is still rich and complex with a distinct whiff of salty sea breeze just like a Manzanilla Pasada Sherry. The taste is fresh, sweet and salty; Brazil nuts, toffee, red liquorice and a never ending finish of a well-made Arugula salad with honey-drizzled peaches.

Drinking Tip: When you have time to let your mind wander

What Richard Says:
Nose: Rich, sweet, and malty. Old brandy, powdered sugar covered chewy fruit confections, and wheat germ.
Palate: It’s even richer and more decadent in the mouth than on nose. It kind of reminds me of a Payday candy bar. Heavy on the nuts and caramel. There is also a heavy undercurrent of raisins and other dried dark fruits.
Finish: A slightly dry, nutty, cereal finish. It’s not terribly long but it lingers a bit. Water leaves the finish more salty than nutty.
Comments: This is a very compelling and complex dram. I don’t really love it. It’s not something I would reach for often. However, exploration is rewarded. There are many layers of flavor, nuance, and depth to be found here. This dram is a deep dark cave that screams “Spelunk me!”
Rating: Stand Out

We would like to thank the Scotch Malt Whisky Society of America for sending a sample for the holidays. Our apologies for the review delays. Holiday head colds were unavoidable.

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