Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2014)

Nose: Pungent yet sweet. Corn is the primary scent. Notes of dark sugar and a fleeting hint of smoke, or perhaps I imagined it? The corn has a honey-like quality, but it's mostly just corn. I suspect the rye contributes to the strong sharpness. Palate: Sweet caramel and dark sugar complemented by pleasant maple syrup. Very rich. Sweet vanilla begins to dominate. The spices contend with the sweet notes harmoniously. Finish: Leans towards bitter with dry, peppery undertones. I believe this is due to the rye. Faint traces of mint and oak. It finishes quite quickly for a cask strength, yet still has good duration. Balance: Well-balanced, a classic bourbon profile. Exceptionally smooth for a cask strength.

Nose: Orange zest, dark fruits, vanilla custard, spearmint, caramel, toffee, maple syrup Palate: Maple candies, damp oak, rye spices, orange zest, caramel Finish: A long, bold finish with notes of citrus and toffee A pleasant and bold, well-rounded bourbon. It perfectly balances sweet and herbal notes on the palate and nose, with Four Roses' characteristic emphasis on oak. It could be a bit more complex, but regardless, it remains very enjoyable, and I would never refuse a glass.

Roses Limited 2014 Nose: An abundance of vanilla! Body: The vanilla shifts to honey and oats. Sweet tea tannins are present in the background. Finish: Medium length finish. Note: While only moderately complex, this ranks very high in flavor. The sweet vanilla and honey are immediately noticeable and persist throughout. Enjoyed this with the 1068 pubcast crew during our annual Drinkfest 2018!

Sampled from a club pour. Great, but not as exceptional as another. Nose: Vanilla, Caramel, Maple Syrup, Lavender, Orange, Mint Chocolate, Walnuts, Raisins, Toasted Oak, Cinnamon, Nutmeg Palate: Vanilla, Caramel, Cherries, Cinnamon, Grass, Cloves, Mint, Oranges, Cashews, Dark Chocolate, Salted Toffee Finish: Oranges, Dark Chocolate, Cherries, Toffee, Walnuts, Almonds, Caramel, Raisins, Prunes

The aroma offers a notable presence of oak. It also has notes of sweet toffee, roasted peanuts, and significant warmth. The taste is rich with sweet corn, additional toffee, rye, and a warming tannic finish. Dilution brings out minty notes and intensifies the rye spice. While the alcohol obscures its character, a bit of water allows its true nature to surface.

The nose is rich with leather, clove, baking spices, and buttery brown sugar, plus a faint fruitiness. The palate feels substantial and viscous. Deep flavors emerge, carrying over the nose's profile with enhanced spice, a subtle floral note, and sweet fruit at the end. There's a slight woody bitterness in the finish, which lingers. A truly excellent pour. 3/15/18