Four Roses Limited Edition Bourbon Elliott's Select (2016)

This is a Four Roses Elliott’s Select from 2016, with 8000 bottles produced. This particular bottle is 120.2 proof from warehouse QN, barrel number 53-4C. I've heard many positive remarks about Four Roses, but I don't believe I've previously had the opportunity to taste one of their single barrels. Hopefully, this one will meet the high expectations associated with them. The initial aroma presented a significant ethanol burn upon opening my sample, but after a few minutes, that alcohol intensity subsided, and it began to develop. The first scent I detect is a powerful wave of caramel-covered pecan clusters, followed by fruity notes of stewed cinnamon apples, peaches, vanilla ice cream, and milk chocolate. It concludes with barrel spices, leather, and old polished oak, with a slight ethanol burn. The taste is very viscous and coats the mouth, with those caramel pecan clusters enveloping the tongue, accompanied by milk chocolate and returning to those fruits of stewed cinnamon apples, peaches, and vanilla ice cream, leading to leather, old polished oak, and finally barrel spices with a moderate ethanol burn. The finish is long with caramel pecan warmth, stewed cinnamon apples, peaches, milk chocolate, leather, and old polished oak that persists for minutes. Wow, this was exceptional!!! The flavors meld together harmoniously, with no single element overpowering the others. At 14 years old and 120.2 proof, this is a spirit that has been aged perfectly and bottled at the ideal proof to achieve all those wonderful flavors and viscosity. After completing my tasting notes, I subjected it to a trial by fire against my other 5-star whiskeys in stock (Garrison Cowboy and Old Carter Batch 4), and it decisively outperformed them. This is a formidable spirit that I would desire in my collection, but the resale market has become excessive, with the only source I found asking nearly 800 pounds for a bottle. Therefore, I will be content with my sample of this and will seek to add a Four Roses single barrel in the 120 proof range to my collection in the future.

This is the complete OESK recipe from that distillery, which many in the bourbon community consider their favorite. Due to the use of various single barrels, the alcohol by volume ranged between 100 and 120 proof for different bottles. While I'm uncertain of the exact proof of the sample I tasted, its minimal heat suggests it was closer to 50-53% ABV than the higher end. This is (or was, as it's no longer commonly found in stores) an incredible bourbon, the best I've had from that distillery. The aroma shows the clarity and intensity of flavor that results when distillation, aging, and selection are all executed perfectly. Vanilla latte, coconut, strawberry, butterscotch, banana crepe, and oak all make an appearance. The palate then shifts to a rich breakfast spread: maple syrup over vanilla french toast, banana caramel crepes, and hints of chocolate, which I find to be characteristic of the OESK recipe. The aging process adds a sweet, mildly spicy oak that complements the other flavors. Elliott's Select concludes with a harmonious blend of oak, rye spice, peach, apricot, and honey. This bourbon retailed for $125 and now sells for multiples of that on the secondary market. Had I the opportunity to buy it at retail, I would have purchased several bottles.

One serving. The aroma is underwhelming, just too subtle. Sun-dried oak, brown tobacco... that's essentially it. Sunlight, wood, and ethanol. The color is notably light. This bottle likely has 2-3 oz remaining, so significant oxidation might be a factor. It enters softly with initial flavors of vanilla, butterscotch, a mild oak astringency, pear, and faint tobacco. A second taste improves it further, revealing more caramel and floral notes, along with increased cinnamon and allspice. I'd rank this alongside other limited editions from the same distillery that I've tried. The astringency is its main drawback for me. I expect perfection in this tier of excellent bottles. It's comparable to Barterhouse 20, maybe slightly better. Pleasant and balanced. However, did it meet my expectations? Not quite, but expectations can be quite high.

108 proof. An impressive aroma, rich with caramel, honey, vanilla, and herbs. A delightful spice on the palate, with a pleasing mouthfeel. Flavors of cinnamon, apples, wood, and dark chocolate. It's mouthwatering with a very extended finish. Some sharp (but good) notes, yet it's very well-rounded. A testament to the distiller. 6/16/17 Still quite enjoyable, but it has changed with exposure to air, and unfortunately, not for the better in my estimation. A more pronounced bitter note is present on the palate, and the other flavors seem less distinct than before. While some may appreciate this alteration, I preferred it in its earlier state. Nevertheless, it remains a very good bourbon. A deeply warming sensation on the way down, a true Kentucky embrace. 10/8/17

Nose: caramel - vanilla - oak - cinnamon - chocolate - wonderful - warming - not overly strong - close to ideal Palate: mild - enjoyable - a bit thin - could be due to the bottle being open for years Finish: sugar - chocolate - tobacco - leather - slow and low - it would only improve with more bite - the slow burn / release would extend longer It's among the best - delicious - well-balanced - amazing aroma and a long/warm enjoyable finish.

E = The mash bill composition is 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% malted barley. B = The mash bill composition is 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley. K = Yeast K: high in spiciness, full-bodied. Q = Yeast Q: slightly fruity, spicy, medium-bodied. O = Yeast O: floral (rose petal), spicy, medium-bodied. F = Yeast F: more herbal. V = Yeast V: delicate fruit, spicy, and creamy.