“We should not be content material to memorize the gorgeous formulation of our illustrious predecessors. Allow us to exit and examine stunning nature.” – Paul Cezanne
Despite the crowded slate of so-called restricted version bourbons in the marketplace at present there are solely a choose few that actually stand out. It looks like each model lately is making an attempt to create their very own “factor.” Whether or not it’s hokey or meant to showcase really distinctive liquid, we’ve reached the purpose the place only a few releases are particular as a result of seemingly each launch is “particular.” Standing as an exception to that rule we now have the expression I’ll be reviewing at present: the 2022 4 Roses Restricted Version Small Batch bourbon.
You see, 4 Roses Grasp Distiller Brent Elliott is now on his seventh iteration of the model’s most extremely wanted annual expression. From the very starting he’s made the case that it is a launch that deserves your consideration. Positive, there are hoards of 4 Roses’ cult-like followers who will inform you this expression is outstanding, however what precisely makes it so?
As you could already know, 4 Roses is known for having 10 distinct bourbon recipes which they create utilizing two mashbills and 5 distinctive yeast strains. Enable me right here to digress into a short historical past lesson…
Quickly after being bought by Seagram in 1943, 4 Roses grew to become certainly one of 5 Kentucky distilleries owned by the corporate. These distilleries had been the Athertonville Distillery, the Henry McKenna Distillery, Seagram’s Calvert Distillery, the Outdated Lewis Hunter Distillery, and the Outdated Prentice Distillery in Lawrenceburg, which might ultimately be renamed the 4 Roses Distillery.
Whereas every of those websites produced whiskey, the lion’s share of it merely went into Seagram’s blended whiskeys like Seagram’s 7 Crown and 4 Roses Blended Whiskey (which I beforehand wrote about right here.
Most apparently, these 5 distilleries all shared two mashbills whereas using their very own particular person yeast strains. In time, as 4 of the 5 websites had been ultimately shuttered, all of their respective yeast strains had been despatched to 4 Roses in Lawrenceburg. It’s from that consolidation the place the model will get their 10 distinct recipes from.
At present, with all of these choices at his disposal, it takes each creativeness and a clear-cut imaginative and prescient for Brent Elliott to craft a launch that successfully showcases the total vary of taste 4 Roses bourbon can obtain, yr after yr. By eschewing the extra quotidian purpose of making a constant taste profile, Brent has sought as an alternative to try towards the loftier pursuit of making a consistency in high quality. This is a crucial distinction.
Having achieved that intention most of the time, 4 Roses followers are yearly made to contemplate: what’s going to 4 Roses Restricted Version Small Batch style like this yr? With the expectation of superlative high quality as the one fixed, one is left to wonder if Brent will go for a bolder profile (as he did with 2020’s launch reviewed right here by Taylor) or a mellow one?
Fortunately, 4 Roses is all the time type sufficient to incorporate details about which recipes are utilized in these restricted editions and so earlier than we even start we will make some assumptions concerning the 2022 mix.
Let’s take a fast have a look at every recipe included on this batch:
- A 14 yr OESF, indicating their decrease rye mashbill and an natural profile with their “F” yeast pressure.
- A 14 yr OESV, once more with the decrease rye mashbill, and their “V” yeast pressure which creates a “delicate fruit and caramel” taste profile.
- A 15 yr OESK with the identical mashbill as above, however with the spice-laden “Okay” yeast pressure.
- And at last, a 20 yr OBSV consisting of the model’s excessive rye mashbill with the “V” yeast pressure for a “delicate fruit and rye” profile.
For this launch Brent Elliott paired a number of decrease rye mashbills with yeast strains famous for his or her spicy and fruit-forward notes, on prime of a little bit of herbaceousness. Whereas the odds of every recipe are undisclosed (a gripe I’d prefer to see rectified in some unspecified time in the future) we will instantly be aware that there needs to be a good bit of stability on this yr’s restricted version. I’ve all the time discovered 4 Roses’ inclusion of those recipe breakdowns attention-grabbing because it exhibits a welcome stage of transparency and provides yet one more layer to the tasting expertise.
After spending a little bit of time imagining the flavour profile that mix of recipes may produce (as I’m certain you might be as properly, pricey reader) I lastly cracked open my bottle to start at present’s evaluate. I ought to be aware right here that I used to be graciously despatched a pattern of this restricted version freed from cost, although that can by no means impact my rating. I’d prefer to thank everybody at 4 Roses for affording me this chance, and notably Brent Elliott for assembling this mix.
The 2022 4 Roses Restricted Version Small Batch produced simply over 14,000 bottles and clocks in at 109 proof (54.5% ABV). As all the time, this expression is non-chill filtered and it carries a instructed retail worth of $179.99.
Now let’s give it a strive!
4 Roses Restricted Version Small Batch 2022 – Assessment
Colour: Gentle amber.
On the nostril: Immediately I’m welcomed by a hearty dose of caramel to go along with aromas of Rainier cherries and apricot plus some candied ginger. After swirling within the glass a couple of occasions these notes are joined by cinnamon, clove, and a few barely browned pie crust. There’s additionally the faintest whiff of mint to go along with the aforementioned medley, and all of it strikes me as a traditional 4 Roses nostril executed deftly. Anticipation builds.
Within the mouth: A great little bit of allspice sizzles up the palate earlier than vanilla extract, brilliant cherries, and a dollop of caramel fan out to the perimeters of the tongue. On a second sip I’m struck by the impressively slick mouthfeel, which carries with it waves of wealthy oak and the cinnamon from the nostril earlier than cresting and leaving a beautiful contact of honey in its wake. The end is simply barely drying and it’s there the place the candied ginger and mint discover a residence, leaving each area of the mouth with some enjoyable flavors to discover.
Conclusions:
As I initially suspected, the 2022 version of 4 Roses Restricted Version Small Batch seems to be a examine in stability. Brent Elliott performs the entire hits from the “traditional bourbon” catalog. Tasked as I’m with being important, I might be aware that for a barrel proof bourbon it is a mellow expression that, regardless of an preliminary hit of spice, actually defers to being a well-integrated and approachable pour. I’m unsure you would actually name being “well-integrated” a quibble, however I imply that to say those that desire extra of a punch within the mouth may desire iterations from years previous. Personally, nonetheless, I really feel that is an exemplary launch that’s extra eye-catching than many earlier editions. The 4 Roses Restricted Version Small Batch 2022 showcases its age with out coming throughout as too oaky, and that’s actually a credit score to Brent Elliott’s mixing acumen. Consequently I really feel comfy awarding this my highest rating up to now.
