Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2023)

Nose-The aroma is somewhat delicate, starting with vanilla and crème brûlée. As it sat, I also detected red apple skins and a very pleasant musty leather book scent. You need to make a bit more effort to find the aroma, but it is a nice one. Palate- Wonderful red fruit, apple, ripe red berries (possibly red raspberries?), more of that crème brûlée, but this time resembling the burnt sugar crust rather than the pudding. This is all coated in chewy caramel. It then transitions to a lovely cigar box or hanging tobacco aroma. Finish- medium to long. It provides a definite upward warmth. You can taste those red berries and apple notes. The apple evolves into apple pie crust. Nicely executed! Overall- Well, it appears a certain blender has succeeded again! After not quite hitting the mark for some in 2022, this is a masterclass in combining exceptionally good whiskies. The layers of flavor remind me of everything I appreciated about the 2019 limited edition. The only minor point of criticism is the nose, which was a bit subdued and at times hard to discern. However, the palate and finish compensate for what the nose lacked. This is a sipper. Pair it with your finest cigar, find a comfortable seat, and savor it for a good while. One of my favorites this year. Certainly worth the effort to find at its suggested retail price and even beyond.

The aroma is remarkably mellow and rich with notes of vanilla and toasted wood, complemented by a superb harmony of spearmint and soil-like rye. Hints of crème brûlée and warm spices are present, creating a very welcoming impression. The taste is smooth with a mild heat, featuring a rush of warm spices and earthy rye that envelops the palate. It possesses a strong wood character that borders on savory. The texture is full and viscous, with underlying vanilla tones providing exceptional smoothness. The maturation is evident in the intensity and depth of the flavors. The aftertaste is extended and piquant, offering persistent flavor with every sip. This expression is truly exceptional, showcasing the finest qualities of Four Roses. All the tastes persist and persist, appearing to fade away at an imperceptible rate.

A familiar fragrance from this distillery greets the nose, full of high esters, warm toffee, woody tones, baking spice, and a rich grain character. Very inviting. At 112 proof, it remains very drinkable, with the numerous flavors all well-integrated into a neat package. The mouthfeel is medium-heavy, with many high notes dominating the overall experience. After half a minute, more of the inherent flavors emerge. A good amount of wood and char lead the way, followed by lighter notes of tobacco, brown bread, dark molasses, roasted coffee bean, and a hint of burnt caramel. The finish is long and fades out at a steady pace. A very nice anniversary bottling that provides a rare opportunity to sample a unique blend of aged bourbons.

I'm not a big admirer of Four Roses. To my palate, this year's limited edition doesn't significantly differ from the 2020 release. I feel the aroma is superior to the taste, as is common with all Four Roses I've sampled. The crème brûlée sweetness on the nose doesn't carry over to the palate, which is unfortunate. It possesses sweetness, but not a vanilla-like sweetness. A hint of mintiness is present in the finish. Overall, it's acceptable but not my top choice. However, if you're a Four Roses enthusiast, you will likely find it quite enjoyable. Addendum: Re-tasted after the level dropped and it has improved considerably. It has developed a richer and fuller flavor while retaining its sweetness. The spice remains, accompanied by a pleasant long finish. Definitely better!

A thick, dessert-like aroma with vanilla, some cherry, and burnt sugar. The palate, while still rich, doesn't quite match the nose. It has notes of caramel, wintergreen, dark fruits, and noticeable oak on the finish. The mouthfeel is pleasantly full-bodied. A really nice pour that improved with aeration. There's a good reason I look for this each year.

Nose: intense caramel, a sweet floral note (honey?), light wood, later a bit earthy, a little peppermint Body: medium Palate: intense and chewy, sweet, vanilla and caramel, very little trace of barrel char Finish: medium-long, caramelly Note: oh, that's good. First impression is wow, this is fantastic.