Tastes

The nose is full of charred oak mixed with vibrant floral rye spice, there is a slight hint of spearmint alongside vanilla and molasses. As it breathes, it all comes together giving you the unmistakable nose of Four Roses. The palate starts off gently, but quickly turns dry yet rich, and unleashes a wave of strong rye spice all throughout the mouth. Charred oak and vanilla take a back seat to the strong floral notes, yet keep the rye by balanced. The OBSQ mahbill is known for being high rye and for being strong on floral essence, and this is a perfect example of that without being overpowering. Despite being nearly 12 years old, the amount of oak is perfect to complement the rye without being too dominant. This is from warehouse number RS, barrel number 23-1E, and being only tier 1 probably contributes to how easily you can sit on this. It's gentle yet bold and at the same, time the next sip is irresistible. The finish is medium long and leaves the mouth tingling with rice spice, while the floral notes stay lingering for quite some time. In the background, oak and vanilla are present and as you chew, the slightest bit of molasses can be coaxed out. This is a fairly simple bourbon, but it is done exceptionally well and that is part of the allure of these private selections. This is exactly what you would hope all bourbon would be, simple and uncomplicated, yet rich in its flavors and intensity. A little while after your sip, you do get very pleasant notes of oak still remaining in your mouth. This is an absolutely delightful finish that rounds out the experience of drinking this whiskey in the most perfect way.

The nose is stunningly smooth and full of vanilla and charred oak with a perfect balance of spearmint and earthy rye. Creme brulee and baking spices live in the background making it very inviting. The palate is smooth and gently spicy with a wave of baking spices and earthy rye splashing all over the mouth. Its got an intense oakiness that is almost savory. Its rich and chewy with vanilla notes in the background adding an incredible smoothness. The age really shines here in just how intense and rich the flavors are. The finish is long and spicy with endless flavor to be found with each chew. This is nothing short of amazing and really shows off the best of Four Roses. All the flavors just linger and linger, seemingly never fading away.

The nose is a burst of floral rye spice and prominent charred oak. Spearmint mixes with white pepper and faint hints of vanilla and butterscotch. The palate is hot and peppery, and full lf charred oak. It is quite sharp of rye, leaving everything else in the background. Its very bold, but enjoyable in its simplicity. The finish is long and spicy with a tingling heat lingering. A slight oaky astringency fades and while its a bit intense, you're immediately ready for the next sip.

The nose is full of creamy oak, not over powering but just enough to be intoxicating. It is mixed with notes of ripe fruit, buttery vanilla and hints of leather and dried flowers. It does have the distinctive fruity notes of a wheated bourbon, but in a higher amount than you usually see. Everything is perfectly balanced and easy to get lost in. The palate is rich and smooth, with peppery spice hitting the corners of the mouth while vanilla and oak swirl all around the mouth. Chewing on it has you enjoying the fruity side to it while notes of mild baking spice keeps the mouth warm. Everything you picked up on the nose translates perfectly to the mouth. Some chocolate notes can be coaxed out of it as a welcome addition and overall, this delivers in every way you could imagine. The finish is medium long and very full, with vanilla and oak keeping you chewing, and just the right amount of spice to keep the mouth tingling just a bit. Everything else fades beautifully, this is a whiskey you really can't find anything wrong with. This is Maker's turned up to 11 and one of the absolute best wheated bourbons you can find.

The nose starts off sharply of oak, cinnamon, earthy rye spice and vanilla. It is incredibly inviting and melds together very nicely as it breathes. The palate is dry yet chewy and quickly coats the mouth in a strong wave of cinnamon and oak. Rye comes in very smoothly with hints of vanilla with a very slight astringency in the background. The second oak barrel really shines in the way that while the palate is relatively simple, the flavors are intensified to a perfect amount. The finish is medium long with a lingering oak and tingling spiciness full of cinnamon. The mouth stays dry but full a flavor. Simply incredible.

The nose is immediately hot and very spicy, full of baking spices, charred oak, with touches of floral rye, buttery vanilla, smoke and leather subtly in the background. It definitely takes a minute for the whiskey to calm down and open up, but the wait is worth it. The palate is somewhat dry and light up the mouth with intense spice that is almost astringent. Is there is charred oak wrapped in cinnamon, while everything else from the nose is more or less drowned out. The finish is long and spicy, and while pretty one dimensional for how intense it is, there is a certain charm to it. Its a spice bomb that pushes your limits where drinking it is almost an accomplishment. Very uniquely enjoyable.

The nose is very spicy right up front, full of ethanol. Eventually, creamier notes of vanilla, charred oak, buttered popcorn and hints of floral rye and molasses. The palate lights up the mouth with a burst of ethanol and sharp baking spices, staying mostly to the front of the mouth. It dries the mouth as you chew on it while vanilla and charred oak swirl in the background of the unrelenting spice. The finish is long, but mostly because the burn doesn't ease up. This is fairly unbalanced and needs to be tamed to be truly enjoyed.

The nose starts with a wonderful serving of creamy, charred oak, earthy rye spice and touches of spearmint and toffee. It is wonderful to keep exploring in an almost refreshing sort of way. It really shows its age well with a distinct musk to it that isn't very common. The palate is somewhat dry and hits the front of the mouth with black pepper, rye spice and charred oak as it slowly makes its way to the back of the mouth. For being a Tennessee whiskey, it isn't all that sweet. Its more of a bomb of spice and oak that more or less drowns out everything else. The creaminess and the spearmint doesn't quite come across which is holding this back from being truly great. The finish is long and peppery with astringent oak swirling around the mouth till it fades. For how this initially presents itself, it ends up being too spice dominant at the sake of everything else. While still good, it feels a bit unbalanced.

The nose is very typical of Barton, who distilled this whiskey. Spicy bananas upfront, with a bit of peanut mixed with charred oak. A little bit of cinnamon, and maybe some custard comes and goes as the whiskey sits, which also tames the spice. The palate is a strong burst of hot, black pepper with dry charred oak, both of which immediately coat nearly the entire mouth. The banana takes a backseat, as does the peanut. There are some minor notes in the background that are a little too indistinguishable, but makes this a very interesting bourbon. It comes across very simple on the palate, but there is something about it that keeps bringing you back for more. The appeal seems to be that the more time you give it, the creamier it gets making for an ever changing experience. The finish is long and spicy, with heat keeping the mouth lit up as a swirl of creamy and dry oak slowly and nicely fades. This is very similar to 1792 Full Proof, but with more depth to it. Excellent for when you want an absolute spice bomb.

The nose starts off strong with peppery rye spice and charred oak, with a little bit of citrus and dried flowers in the background. Smooth vanilla, almost custard like, comes in as it mellows a bit while it still stays rye spice dominant. The palate hits the corners of the mouth with charred oak, black pepper and an earthy rye spice while vanilla coats the back of the tongue. This is quite simple and intense, but both in a very good way. Each sip leaves you wanting to go back for more with a craving for the intensity. The finish is medium and peppery with a lingering rye and charred oak as the palate really dries out. Maybe a bit of smoke as it all subsides. All in all, this doesn't require a lot of thought. It's delicious and in your face, and checks the boxes for a wonderfully spicy bourbon.