BOTTLE DETAILS
- DISTILLER: Four Roses Distillery
- MASH BILL: Two mashbills: Four Roses “high rye” B mash bill (65% Corn | 35% Rye | 5% Malted Barley) and its “low rye” E mash bill (75% Corn | 20% Rye | 5% Malted Barley) and its V and K yeasts used in three different recipes from four batches of barrels.
- AGE: 13 years, though 19-year-old bourbon is in the blend
- YEAR: 2025
- PROOF: 109 (54.5% AVB)
- MSRP: $249.99
- BUY ONLINE: This product is not yet available. Any online sales will happen through retail outlets that choose to use that channel.
STEVE’S NOTES
SHARE WITH: Everybody who loves bourbon. But Four Roses devotees who love this stuff and will especially appreciate this blend’s unique nuances.
WORTH THE PRICE: It’s not in my price range, but for better-heeled fans of the spirit, why not buy it and enjoy this expert blend of Four Roses liquids?
BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar for me. But if you can find a bottle not sold at pirate prices, consider it. It might drain your wallet, and it might anger your spouse, but you won’t be sad about your purchase.
OVERALL: No whiskey writer on the Zoom call to discuss this release was surprised to learn that this is one of the best attended Four Roses calls every year. Whiskey writers love this brand, and the chance to crack open 100ml press samples and hear master distiller Brent Elliott talk about how he put together this incredible annual release is always a treat.
Some basics: It’s made up of three different recipes and four batches of barrels blended in these percentages:
- OBSV 13 years old, 38%
- OESV 13 years old, 35%
- OBSK 13 years old, 17%
- OESV 19 years old, 10%
- Batches of the LESB tend to draw from an average of 2,500 barrels.
The entire batch created 16,854 bottles (1,404 9-liter cases), which will be released nationwide beginning in Kentucky in September, then trickling out to the 49 other unlucky states through the end of the year.
Elliott called the two batches of 13-year old OESV barrels “co-pillars” around which the rest of the batch was built. He likes to, “Find one or two sort of pillar batches to create something unique, that’s satisfying and delicious, and then figure out with the rest of the batches how I can improve on them and create depth and complexity.” The whole process begins in December of each year and is sewn up by late February or early March.
“I’m always on the lookout for these special batches (of barrels),” Elliott said. “I was inspired to chase the V characteristic in them: super rich, apricot and pear and rye balance from the mash bill … to add spice complexity and depth. … I knew that 19 year old had that extra oak character that wasn’t leaning toward the antique oak characteristic. … On its own (the 19 year old bourbon) could have stood alone as a single barrel. But it worked so well with those three other batches.”
“Worked well” is an understatement! It delivered spice in flavor and texture, and in neither case was it hot. Imagine a warbird carpet bombing with firecrackers: just little bits of pleasant tingling everywhere in the mouth. The mouthfeel is viscous and rich, and fruit runs the gamut from dried apricot and fresh pear to dried cherry and ripe blackberry. Call it a bourbon fruit salad.
On the nose you find all of that and more. It comes in waves of dried flowers, baked pastry, allspice and that classic Juicy Fruit gum bomb. Back to the palate: Clover honey is all over the place and creates a finish of medium length that’s rich and wonderfully spicy without burning.
POPS’ SIP REP 🥃📋
I can’t let Steve have all the fun with this one. Check out my video take on this year’s release.
BRAND NOTES
“Year after year, we look to create a unique expression that highlights the best of what our 10 recipes can offer,” said Brent Elliott, Four Roses Master Distiller. “When blending this year’s release, I was drawn to the 13-year-old V batches that showcase pronounced, delicate fruit and sweet barrel tones. Although these barrels can really shine on their own, the OBSK brought in a complexity that I think people will really enjoy. The addition of the 19-year-old OBSV also adds another layer of depth and aged character that rounds out the blend beautifully.”
Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.