Four Roses 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Review

“From the beginning of the process, I focused on building around the unique fruit flavors in our F and V yeast strains, and these flavors shine through in the finished product.”Brent Elliott, Master Distiller

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Four Roses 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon

DISTILLER: Four Roses
MASH BILL: 10-year-old Bourbon from the OBSV recipe | 13-year-old OBSF | 14-year-old OESV | 16-year-old OESK
AGE: Blend of 10, 13, 14, and 16 year old bourbons
YEAR: 2018
PROOF: 108.3 (54.15% ABV)
MSRP: $140.00

NOSE: Dates and Mincemeat | Cooked Green Apple | Grains | White Icing

FINISH: Pleasant tingle, slightly drying, warm all the way down

SHARE WITH: Bourbon fans especially, but anyone deserving of a real treat

WORTH THE PRICE: $140 is a chunk of change for most, but I’ve had nothing in its price range this year that I’d want more.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle if you can get it. This year’s U.S. release is 13,140 bottles, so your chances are better than ever.

OVERALL: I can’t decide whether this release or last year’s amazing Al Young commemorative release is my favorite Four Roses bottling ever. This whiskey is all over the place: complex and playful; aromatically fruity yet brooding with dark notes; deliciously sweet and bereft of unpleasant tannin. From the nose to the finish, it’s pure delight.

During an early September media event, master distiller Brent Elliott led us through a tasting of each of the four bourbons in this mingling, followed by the finished product. What a treat to enjoy those components broken out like that.

Learn more about Steve’s whiskey preferences and check out more of his reviews…

NOSE: Berries and Cream | Vanilla | Toasted Oak Sawdust

TASTE: Green Apple | Mint | Spice | Light Oak

FINISH: Long finish with warm spice mingled with more green apple and dry oak notes.

SHARE WITH: Share this with someone that will appreciate it and understand the nuances of that make a whiskey like this special.

WORTH THE PRICE: Everyone knows I think $140 is a lot of money for a single bottle of whiskey but when you compare this with some of the other bottles that have come out this year at this price point, I think this one is a much better investment. So if you have the cash and are able to appreciate a nuanced bourbon, go for it.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Four Roses fans should bottle up if they can get their hands on it. You won’t be disappointed. If $140 is a bit steep for your budget, save some money by trying it at your favorite bar.

OVERALL: This might just be Brent Elliott’s best release since taking over as Master Distiller at Four Roses. It’s a great sign of what he’s capable of and gets me excited to see what he does next. Is it better than the Al Young commemorative release? To be honest, it’s been a long time since I sampled that one, but based on my tasting notes I’d say that I prefer the 130th Anniversary Limited Edition over the Al Young release.

Learn more about Pop’s whiskey preferences and check out more of his reviews…

In the beginning stages of handcrafting a limited edition bottling, Master Distiller Brent Elliott creates countless test batches from select barrels, in an effort to mingle the best Limited Edition offering.

“For this Limited Edition Small Batch, I wanted to create something very special to celebrate the 130th anniversary of our brand,” said Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliott. “From the beginning of the process, I focused on building around the unique fruit flavors in our F and V yeast strains, and these flavors shine through in the finished product. As a contrast, I also included a spicy, older batch. By mingling these different flavor profiles, I think we achieved a wonderfully balanced, complex and unique Bourbon. I could not be happier with the result and can’t wait for you to taste it.”

Bottled at barrel strength, 108.3 proof, the 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch offers rich vanilla, raspberries and ripe berries, and crème brulee on the nose. As it hits the palate, it opens into flavors of apricot, mint, cinnamon, apple and mellow oak. This Bourbon boasts a very long finish, with hints of cinnamon, more fruit and vanilla.

Four Roses will distribute approximately 13,140 hand-numbered bottles of the 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon in the United States with a suggested retail price of $140.

Four Roses 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Background Info

Four Roses Celebrates 130th Anniversary With Limited Edition Small Batch Release

Limited-quantity special bottling slated for September distribution

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. (September 4, 2018) – This year, Four Roses is raising a glass and toasting its 130th Anniversary. To celebrate, the Distillery will issue the newest release in its series of limited-quantity special bottlings – the 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch. This very special bottling commemorates the brand’s 130-year history of handcrafting quality Bourbon and the love story that started it all.

The bottling will launch during Bourbon Heritage Month this September. It will first be available in limited quantities at the Four Roses Distillery and Warehouse & Bottling Facility Visitor Centers on Saturday, September 15 beginning at 9 a.m. The Limited Edition Small Batch will roll out to additional select retailers in the weeks following.

Four of Four Roses’ unique Bourbon recipes were selected for the 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch. This bottle will feature a 10-year-old Bourbon from the OBSV recipe, a 13-year-old OBSF, 14-year-old OESV and 16-year-old OESK.

Four Roses is the only Bourbon distillery that combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to produce 10 distinct Bourbon recipes, each with its own unique characteristics.

Four Roses will distribute approximately 13,140 hand-numbered bottles of the 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon in the United States with a suggested retail price of $140.

To learn more about how you can join Four Roses in celebrating its 130th Anniversary, visit FourRosesBourbon.com/130th.

Disclaimer: Four Roses provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.

About the Author

Steve Coomes

Steve Coomes is a Louisville restaurant industry veteran turned award-winning food writer. In his 27-year career, he has edited and written for dozens of national trade and consumer publications including Pizza Today, Nation's Restaurant News and Southern Living. As a spirits writer, Steve's byline can be found in Whisky magazine, Bourbon Review, WhiskeyWash.com and other publications. In 2014, he authored the book, "Country Ham: A Southern Tradition of Hogs, Salt & Smoke," and has authored other titles as a private ghostwriter.

Comments

September 5, 2018 Reply
David
So far in my life …4 Roses small bach and or single barrel my favorite bourbon… can’t wait to try the anniversary edition…
thank you very much
September 5, 2018 Reply
Stephen Coomes
and as I stress, mine is only one palate, but that whiskey’s a knock out as far as I’m concerned.
October 10, 2018 Reply
Justin Hammons
Four Roses Small Batch is one of my favorite bourbons under $35. I will have to keep my eyes peeled and find this at a local Lexington bar to try! I imagine it is amazing. Thanks for the notes and the review.