Four Roses has unveiled the new 2019 Limited Edition Small Batch release, a barrel proof blend of bourbons with a 21-year component.
The distillery makes ten different recipes for their bourbon, using two different mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains. Link here for a handy guide on reading their four-letter recipes.
Each year, Master Distiller Brent Elliot selects perfectly matured, barrel proof bourbons made from a few of these recipes to blend for the release of a Limited Edition Small Batch. For 2019, the distillery is including a surprisingly old ingredient in their blend – a 21-year-old bourbon made from their OBSV recipe. The following bourbons are blended at a cask strength 112.6 proof to create this year’s release –
- 21-Year OBSV
- 15-Year OESK
- 15-Year OESV
- 11-Year OESV
“Our 10 distinct Bourbon recipes provide the ability to handcraft new and interesting expressions and with this year’s Limited Edition we found some exceptionally well-rested Bourbons in some of our higher aged barrels,” said Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliott. “Combining the delicate fruit flavors and light spice from our V and K strains resulted in a uniquely nuanced whiskey.”
Four Roses tells us to expect “elegant aromas of oak, honey, red raspberries, and vanilla” on the nose, “bright, sweet fruits, cinnamon, baking spices, and mellow barrel flavors” on the palate, and “a rich, soft, lasting finish.”
Earlier this year, the distillery introduced Small Batch Select, a non-chill filtered, 104 proof blend of six of their recipes. Their permanent line also includes Four Roses Bourbon, a mingling of all ten recipes at 80 proof and 6 years old, Four Roses Small Batch, a blend of just four recipes at 90 proof and 7 years old, and Four Roses Single Barrel, just the Four Roses at 100 proof and 8 years old.
Four Roses 2019 Limited Edition Small Batch will arrive first at the distillery on Saturday, September 21 at 9 am. Around 13,440 bottles will find their way to shelves around the country in the following weeks at a retail price of around $140.
