Limited Edition Small Batch 2015
believe it's about 55% ABV
retail should be around $95 (sample provided)
Bourbonr has a great little post showing the label and the breakdown of component 4R recipes blended for this release. My understanding is that this should hit stores in October.
Color: light brown with an auburn tint.
Smell: first impression is "damn." It's easy to put a legendary whiskey like this "on the pedestal," so to speak (obviously this isn't a blind tasting) - but this is bringing it on the nose. Huge waves of creamy caramel sweetness, delicate flowers, decadent chocolate fudge, and even some minty notes. There's a lot to unpack here. What isn't here is predominant oakiness. This is a blend of 11 to 16 year old whiskies, and while there is a ton of complexity, there is nothing that screams "oak barrel."Taste: "damn," continued. It shows up on the palate. Complex sweetness on entry, buttery smooth mouthfeel, and waves of interesting flavors that complement the experience - dried flowers, mint, black tea. This is also amazingly smooth considering its proof. The finish is medium-short in length and leaves you with floral sweetness rather than more traditional spiciness/oakiness.
Overall: this is special stuff, no doubt about it. Easy "A" for me, and highly recommended. You're probably not going to see this on shelves, but if you're friendly with your liquor store and they're getting some (and not ripping you off too badly), absolutely try to lock some down. What blows me away most about this whiskey is its finesse and balance. It packs a ton of flavor, but it doesn't beat you over the head with vanilla, oak, and cinnamon. Instead, it's driven by complex but delicate flavors that - in my experience - are seldom, if ever, encountered in the bourbon world. This is the Romanee-Conti of Kentucky.
Whether this is a testament to Four Roses' 10 different combinations of yeast/mashbill, expert blending, barrel aging program/choices, or a combination of all of the above, Four Roses keeps pumping out amazing bourbon. This is them showing off.
