Four Roses"Elliott's Select"
2016 Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon
OESK mashbill, 14 years old
Barrel Strength (proof unclear, my guess is 110-ish)
MSRP $125
Color: medium brown, tangerine tint
Smell: just lovely. Very much a "finesse" nose - very fruity and sweet for a bourbon. I get some maple fudge, lots of caramel, red berries, (strangely) some peaches, and a nice backbone of subtle oakiness. Very unique and very nice.
Taste: even more impressive on the palate. Waves of rich floral sweetness upfront (fudge, vanilla, caramel candy, faint peach/berry element), and then the transition seamlessly introduces plenty of oak spice (cinnamon, tobacco, barrel char). The finish is long and toasty, but the aftertaste is distinctly floral. Tremendously well-balanced.Overall: huge fan, easy "A" for me. I've been lucky enough to taste and review the 2015 LE Small Batch and 2014 LE Single Barrel, and this is every bit as impressive. There is more oak influence here (14 years of it!), but this bourbon wears it very well - that element doesn't rise too high and take over the tasting experience. As with every 4R whiskey, the balance is impeccable. Highly recommended, but good luck finding it!
