Kentucky’s own Four Roses has become a top-shelf favorite for its accessibility in both flavor and price tag. With ten distillations, each featuring a unique combination of its two high-rye mashbills and five proprietary yeast strains, the distillery mixes and matches these moonshines to curate and fine-tune the end result for each expression in its lineup. Its annual Limited Edition Small Batch release showcases the best the 136-year-old label has to offer. This year is no different.
As the 15th in the annual series, Four Roses’ 2022 Limited Edition Small Batch marries four of the ten bourbons, and at differing percentages. Ranging in age, this spirit marries a 14-year-old fruit-forward OESV recipe, 14-year-old OESF with herbal notes, 15-year-old OESK, and a 20-year-old OBSV that consists of a 35% rye mashbill for some extra spice, compared to the 20% rye of the other three. Helmed by Master Distiller Brent Elliot, the blend started with the OBSV and an undisclosed 14-year recipe as the base to display the range and complexity of the barrels.
Pouring at 109 proof, the end result will display a balanced nuance with wood, brown sugar, and dark cherries on the nose, leading into a palate of vanilla, allspice, and clove notes, giving way to a finish of cinnamon, berries, and oak. While this expression will be available to the public, Four Roses is offering a lottery for those who want a guaranteed chance of securing a bottle. The one caveat is that winners will have to visit the distillery in person to purchase the bottle themselves.
Four Roses’ Small Batch 2022 will be limited to around 14,000 hand-numbered bottles that will go on sale on September 17 from select retailers for $180.
