I was lucky enough to get samples from the last two releases. These annual bottlings are highly sought after. Will they live up to their reputation?
Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition 2014
ABV: 55.9%
My Tasting Notes:
Colour: Bright copper
Nose: Vanilla, cinnamon, fudge, hints of bee’s wax, wood polish, hints of cardamom.
Palate: Creme caramel, orange and lemon zest, hints of raisins and cardamom.
Finish: Long, sweet and slightly spicy.
Overall: Very much on the sweet and gentle side, especially with a splash of water. It’s a pleasant bourbon but it seems to be missing something.
Rating: 84/100 – Price Tag: originally around €100, now considerably more expensive
Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition 2015
ABV: 54.25%
My Tasting Notes:
Colour: Bright copper
Nose: Orange zest, leather, vanilla, hints of freshly cut pine wood, cloves, hints of pepper, water brings out minty notes.
Palate: Orange zest, dark caramel, hints of tobacco and mint, cinnamon, cardamom and pepper.
Finish: Long, dry and spicy.
Overall: Quite a robust expression that benefits from added water. The palate is dominated by aromatic spices.
Rating: 87/100 – Price Tag: originally around €100, now considerably more expensive
Summary
While the 2014 version feels a bit shy, the 2015 release has a much richer but also a more rounded character overall. I found it quite interesting that adding a little water did the 2015 well whereas the 2014 suffered a bit.
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