Four Roses 125th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon Blend
A rather underrated bourbon that is on the market is Four Roses. This is partially because of the fact that their entry level bourbon, Four Roses Yellow Label, is incredibly filtered and hides just how great Four Roses is in the world of bourbons. The Single Barrel and Small Batch varieties of Four Roses bourbon display the true magic of this brand. You will be able to taste a wide dimension of flavor with these amazing products. There actually are ten varieties of Four Roses, which are made using a process with a broad range of yeast strains. Small Batch is crafted as a blend from a variation of these ten recipes.
Each year, the Master Distiller Jim Rutledge crafts a special limited edition of this bourbon. Since this year is the 125th anniversary of Four Roses, he has used three recipes of this bourbon for this small batch. It has been comprised of two 13 year old bourbons and an 18 year old version. They were blended while in the barrel to make them strong, and then immediately bottled instead of undergoing the chill filtering process. This has made this particular product amazingly strong, yet allowed it to retain a perfectly blended flavor that is unique.
The Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is 110 proof, 55% ABV, and costs $90. It contains oak, vanilla, apricot, cherry, and cinnamon notes, and there is relatively little burn to it for a whiskey that is 110 proof. The sweet vanilla and apricot scents are balanced by the stronger cherry and oak. The strength is very apparent on the midpalate, although it is not apparent on the nose. The cherry and oak flavors linger, and there is a wonderful balance of dry and rich blends. This is truly a unique small batch bourbon product of which Jim Rutledge is extremely proud.
This anniversary limited edition small batch bourbon seems sensitive to water, as a few drops of water change the dynamic of it a bit, enhancing the cherry flavor. This small batch bourbon is best with a few drops of water, just make sure that you do not overdo it. The term “Master Distiller” is readily thrown around lately, but Jim Rutledge is a real Master Distiller. The 125th anniversary small batch bourbon is amazing, capturing all that we love about bourbon. It is presented in a manner which will make casual bourbon drinkers and more serious whiskey enthusiasts happy. This is simply a wonderful small batch bourbon, to be savored all throughout the year.
In order to celebrate the big anniversary, the company has created a special website titled “Year of the Toast”, featuring a catalog of different toasts that may be used for various occasions. Additionally, you may send in a toast of your own to the site. This will help you have a chance to be featured on next year’s limited edition Single Barrel small batch bourbon release, along with the toast that you have submitted. Pick up a bottle of this today, and enjoy the taste of this small batch bourbon.