Four Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition 2014

BourbonReviewsAmerican WhiskeyFour Roses

Nov 28

Written By David Levine

Four Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition 2014

Four Roses

OESF 11YO

57% ABV/114 Proof

Warehouse HW, Barrel 42-2N

Eye: Copper honey. Thin rim, hardly any legs.

Nose: Caramel stroopwaffels. Lots of roasted almonds and peanuts. Theres a deep, dark fruit note I can’t quite identify, but it’s delicious and unctuous. Heat opens up with air.Palate: Hot right off the bat - drinks well above its proof even at 114. Very nutty, more a Beam profile than Four Roses, with a touch of cinnamon and fruit jelly. Second sip keeps the heat going, if turned down just slightly. Mouthfeel is medium-bodied, deliciously hot with a coating layer of roasted nut skins.

Finish: Keeps the tingle going in the throat. Oily and spicy. I love it.

Overall: Delicious - the heat is fantastic and keeps the nuttiness going through a long palate and finish. Unusually nutty for a Four Roses but fantastic nonetheless.

Rating: 7.8

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)

1 | Disgusting | Drain pour (Virginia Distilling Co. Cider Cask)