Four Roses 125th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2013)

Nose: Fresh raspberries, apples with cinnamon, wood spice, floral sweetness, aged leather, rich vanilla, churros, caramel. Palate: A wave of honey sweetness followed by floral spice, raspberries, vanilla, barrel char, sweet cream, burnt sugar. Finish: A long, rich finish with a hint of spice, vanilla bean, barrel char, nutmeg and cinnamon, and dense caramel. This producer has done it again. The aroma is extraordinary, the palate is fantastic, complex, and incredibly well-balanced, and the finish is long, rich, and full of flavor. The nose reminds me of Disneyland, with rich vanilla, sweet berries, and a distinct churro note. It's one of the finest bourbons available, and I'm eager to get another bottle, even at secondary market prices.

I've been savoring this bottle for years. Like many others, I can't bring myself to finish it, knowing I'll never have it again. So, I periodically enjoy a small serving to recall its excellence. This isn't a robust bourbon like some famed selections (thinking of you, Stagg, WLR, Willett Family Estate), but it stands as a great bourbon on its own merits. On this tasting, nothing particularly stands out on the palate; it's simply sweet, balanced, and extremely pleasing. The finish of subtle tobacco and cinnamon is superb, though shorter than I prefer. It earns its stellar reputation and will be deeply missed once gone.

I'm being completely serious when I say this might be the finest bourbon I've ever sampled. It boasts huge cherry and cherry liqueur flavors, along with vanilla, big caramel, and sawdust. Notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, raspberry, peaches, plum, cocoa, cola, orange jelly, apple pie, mint, and some dusty rye are present. Delicious. It has a rich, big body and a beautiful texture. It delivers barrel proof flavor without the typical barrel proof alcohol intensity. It's clearly no longer available on shelves, but I have two bottles saved for major life celebrations.

I'm not going to be very original here, but this whiskey delivered everything I could want in a drink. Complex, with many layers and a lingering taste. I loved it and only wish I had another bottle right now!

Certainly ranks among the best bourbons I've ever had. The barrel's complexity and smoothness were exceptional. The blend is truly unique.

A companion remarked, "Now that's a bourbon!" It's big, bold, and has a long finish that will keep you warm through the winter. This is the genuine article.