Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2019)

A mix of 11, 15, and 21-year-old bourbon at 56.37%. While there might be variations, I'm not very knowledgeable about Four Roses and usually find their bourbon disappointing. Nose: Sweet vanilla, pine, cinnamon, hints of pie crust and marmalade, leather, oak, and shoe polish. It clearly signals an aged spirit, with an almost musty, antique oak character. Dilution reveals more vanilla and spice, slightly receding the dusty oak, but the profile remains consistent, just altered in presentation. Taste: Cinnamon apple pie, oak, spices, and vanilla. It features 3-4 shifts from initial sweetness to a mildly spicy, slightly warm finish, followed by a secondary finish with intensified spices, and finally a lingering spicy oak note. Similar to the nose, water enhances sweetness but doesn't alter the transitions or spices over the leathery oak and cinnamon apple pie characteristics. Overall: This spirit has altered my perception of Four Roses. Its complexity is exceptional, embodying the qualities of mature bourbon—leather, deep vanilla, and premium oak—while also delivering the vigor and warmth of younger spirits (without being harsh, naturally). I'm genuinely impressed with Four Roses' offering here. If only they could produce more of the aged expressions and less of their standard range. I rate this 4.25. An excellent bourbon, but let's maintain some restraint.

Tasting: 2 ounces poured neat into a glen cairn glass, followed by 2 drops of water. Smell (4.5): A wonderful aroma. Tree fruits covered in caramel. Hints of leather, reminiscent of a classic study. There's a pleasant earthiness. Ample ethanol signals a potent spirit. The bouquet is robust and welcoming. Initially powerful, but it becomes delightful with time. Taste (4.25): Spearmint appears upfront. Unexpected, as it wasn't detected on the nose. A whisper of raspberry on the mid-palate transitions to apple notes. The finish brings abundant spice and pepper. This is a potent, rye-driven pour. Not for the timid. Aftertaste (4.0): Extended and astringent. The aged bourbon character is prominent here. Significant old oak and touches of baking spice. My primary issue is that it might be excessively drying. The finish was the least appealing aspect. General Impression: I appreciate Four Roses' approach. They combine ten unique recipes, stemming from five distinct mash bills and two yeast varieties. Each single barrel offers a unique profile. This particular blend features fine whiskies aged 15 and 11 years, plus one at 21 years! However, the price is substantial. $165 retail is a considerable investment. If you're a devoted Four Roses enthusiast... act fast, purchase it. If you're new to this, try the Single Barrel Select first; it's much more affordable. Would I purchase another bottle? No. Was the experience valuable to me? Perhaps. I'm keen to observe its evolution.

Neat. From the neck pour. It starts like a fresh cinnamon roll. There's a significant amount of delicious oak and vanilla. The aroma has a rich, creamy quality within that vanilla. A sweetness emerges the longer I let it sit. Dark cherries appear. It feels creamy and smooth on the palate. Quite oily. Oh, that's good. Waves of flavor keep coming. Initially on the tongue, it's brighter than anticipated, with rich vanilla and a touch of apple dominating rather than spice, cinnamon, or oak. During the taste, it shifted to delightful chocolate, then to oak and cinnamon. It momentarily fades, then a second wave of oak and vanilla appears. The tannins make the mouth feel a bit dry. Just when you think it's finished, the vanilla reappears as your mouth tries to balance the dryness. Then, I can still taste the cherry in my mouth. What a delightful journey. The aroma is still evolving. That chocolate note and oak are becoming primary. This is perfect.

The color is a radiant, deep amber that immediately coats the glass sides, flowing down slowly. The aroma is inviting, with notes of vanilla pastry cream, oak, aged leather, floral rye, cooked caramel, and just a perfect hint of dried fruit. It's not as intense as one might anticipate given its strength and the blend of ages; instead, there's a perfect harmony where each element stands out on its own. The palate is somewhat dry and oily, with the floral rye mingling with the pastry cream to create a delightful mouthfeel of mixed flavors, while enough spice and pepper emerge to maintain balance, and an interesting creamy maple flavor appears at the end, providing a pleasantly surprising finish to the palate. The finish is medium-long, with the burst of spiciness gradually subsiding, allowing the palate to slowly fade. Perhaps not as impactful as previous yearly releases, but a masterful creation nonetheless and a truly excellent bourbon.

Nose- An initial wave of herbal wildflowers; juicy raspberries; vanilla; aged oak; honey; cinnamon spice Palate- A wave of sweet honey; bright red fruits; juicy fruit gum; aged oak; cinnamon; rich vanilla Finish- A long, creamy, and drying finish; a light dusting of cinnamon; juicy fruit gum; aged, spicy oak) This lives up to the anticipation. Remarkable, the finest Four Roses expression I've experienced. From aroma to finish, it is perfectly harmonious with an eruption of scents and tastes. The palate of this is divine. The aroma was somewhat muted at first, but after a few minutes in the glass, it blossomed significantly. The aroma is accurately captured on the bottle (raspberries, honey, aged oak) along with additional notes of herbal wildflowers and cinnamon. The age is perceptible in all the right ways. The palate is exceptional and the most striking feature of this whiskey. The finish, as expected, is lengthy, leaving a drying sensation on the tongue and a creamy mouthfeel.

I almost saved the perfect score for Booker's 30th, but this one earned it too. Bring the glass up slowly, tilt it, and inhale. The aroma is fantastic, so good it could be made into candles. It brings to mind a rickhouse with vanilla-scented candles. The taste covers the whole range: fruit, cream, tobacco, butterscotch, and a touch of citrus. The conclusion is flawless with a lengthy, warming oak and raspberry aftertaste. A slick mouthfeel makes it linger. This is Four Roses' take on "Craft Your Perfect Bourbon," and they nailed it. Absolutely perfect.