Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2017)

Definite nose of tobacco and vanilla. Pallet is leather and dark fruit but finishes with some caramel notes

This is my favorite bourbon. Based on the recipe, I didn’t think I would be overly impressed with this batch. However, the nose explodes with juicy fruit, the palate is so good, again, juicy fruit. If you have a chance to try it, don’t hesitate.

Some astringency, not nearly as good as 2016.

Nose - (w/o water) Dark leather, vanilla, dark oaky caramel, lightly herbal, hint of dried cherries, dark cocoa powder (w/ water) Softens the nose a bit, more fruity/floral versus dark tones, more caramel sweet. Taste - (w/o water) Fruity cinnamon heat, dry, cherry vanilla, dark caramel, cocoa nib bittersweet (w/ water) Light sweet mint, dry, cinnamon spice, sweet vanilla caramels, light cherry. Finish - (w/o water) Linge4ring fruity cinnamon heat, light toasted sweet oak bitter/tannins, dark chocolate cherry, dry (w/ water) More mouth drying somehow, light herbal/minty cherry, light tannic cherry. Score - 85/100 Final Thoughts - This was an interesting one in that on the nose it screamed dark leather, dark fruits, oak, but once it hit the palate, it was something completely different. It had a "dark" vibe to it, but it was subtle and quite pleasant, minus the mouth drying qualities to it. Nice taste & finish throughout and the addition of water did change the dynamic of it, but not by much. It opened up some herbal, almost rye-like notes on the palate, but somehow ended up making it more mouth-drying than it did neat. Regardless, a tasty dram but the mouth-drying nature of it was quite strange. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - No Would I buy a bottle? - No