As you are probably aware, this is the fourth installment of a five-part series where I pit various Limited Edition bottles of Four Roses against each other, bracket-style. The idea grew out of a conversation I had with Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliot last September. When I mentioned that I had bottles of this going back to 2012, he asked what I was saving them for. Not having a good answer to that, I decided then and there that he was right and that I needed to have some fun with them. And since I wasn't able to get a bottle of 2020's version, it seemed like the right time to open them up and revisit a little yummy goodness.
Tonight’s first contestant is the 2016 edition of Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch. 2016 was the year where I got to be “press” for the first time. While I visited the Kentucky Bourbon Festival I got to attend the Distillery Naming event for Lux Row Distillery. I took notes and photos…and my friends from local craft distilleries playfully teased me about it. I loved that week. I spent so much time with friends.
The other entry is from 2012. 2012 was the first year I attended the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. During that week, I visited the Four Roses Cox’s Creek facility for the first time. While there I picked up a bottle of Four Roses Limited Small Batch. I just walked into the very small gift shop and it was just sitting there on the shelf. This was a Monday It wasn’t set to be released until Thursday, but since no one had been there for about a week, they felt it was safe to put it out when they had time.
So here we go. Remember, these were tasted completely blind from identical bottles labeled only with an alphanumeric code.
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2016
Original Review: 2016 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Review
Pertinent Quote: "I love this every year and this year is no exception."
Details/Original Price: 55.6% ABV. A blend of 12-year-old OESO, 12-year-old OBSV, and 16-year-old OESK. Purchase Price: $120.
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, spearmint, and a nutty note.
Mouth: Caramel, apricot, spearmint, and oak
Finish: Medium to long and warm. Lingering notes of cinnamon, oak, a touch of smoke, and a hint of fruitiness
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2012
Original Review: Blind comparison of 2012 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch vs 2009 Four Roses Mariage
Pertinent Quote: "Wow. This might very well be the best Four Roses, I've ever had. My wife normally puts a small piece of ice in every bourbon. She asked me to remind her that this one she wants neat from now on."
Original Details/Price: 55.7% ABV. A blend of 17-year-old OBSV, 11-year-old OBSV, 12-year-old OBSK, and 12-year-old OESK Purchase Price: $90
Nose: Peaches, baking spice, and brown sugar.
Mouth: Spicy. Notes of caramel, fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg, maybe ginger, and then oak.
Finish: Long and spicy. Notes of peaches, baking spice, vanilla, and oak.
Thoughts:
2016 is oakier and more refined whereas 2012 is an explosion of flavor. A lot of bourbon lovers would choose 2016 for its more traditional flavor profile. Not me though, the fruity notes of 2012 are right up my alley. 2012 is the clear favorite in this house. It’s spicy and fruity with a good burn to it. 2012 moves on.
Special thanks to Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliot for inspiring this series of posts.
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