2023 Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

2023 Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 700ml/750ml represents a bold, historic milestone for one of Kentucky's most revered distilleries, serving as the monumental anniversary anchor showcase for the brand's pioneering annual multi-recipe lineage. Originating from the iconic Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, this highly sought-after expression brings a master distiller's absolute precision to a brand celebrated for its legendary consistency. Crafted as an exceptionally limited special release celebrating 135 years of unparalleled brand craftsmanship, this bottling pushes past the distillery's traditional single-profile parameters to deliver an intricate, harmonious blend of four stand-alone liquid formulations, introducing an elegant layer of honeyed berries and antique wood complexity to their celebrated bourbon heritage. Far from ordinary modern spirits engineered for volume, this expression relies on decades of architectural blending mastery.

For this historic anniversary installment, Master Distiller Brent Elliott conducted extensive trials across diverse recipe configurations to construct a profile centered on specific yeast properties and advanced wood maturation. The foundation is an expertly curated batch marrying four distinct components: a 12-year-old OESV recipe and a 14-year-old OESV recipe featuring the low-rye E mash bill paired with delicate fruit yeast properties, a 16-year-old OESK recipe utilizing the low-rye footprint balanced by baking spice yeast characteristics, and an ultra-mature, 25-year-old OBSV recipe engineered to introduce a historic anchor of deep oak. After spending their respective years in undisturbed primary aging within the climate-stable conditions of the distillery's traditional single-story brick warehouses, the distinct barrels were commingled at natural cask strength without any chill filtration or proof adjustment. This meticulous wood manipulation extracts structural native tannins and complex, deep-set wood sugars without overriding the bourbon's core distillate punch. The final bottling highlights the distillery's technical mastery over wood maturation harmony, allowing the bright fruit signatures of the V yeast strain to seamlessly marry with the complex, robust baking spice qualities of the older oak timber.

Bottled uncut at its natural structural output with a precise 108 Proof (54% ABV) and presented in a classic, collectible 700ml/750ml format, the liquid delivers a remarkably dense, velvety presentation that beautifully blankets the senses. Expect an incredibly expressive, multi-layered nose where the bourbon's traditional rich caramel, vanilla bean, and toasted oak mesh beautifully with sweet honey, vanilla, white oak, and subtle hints of ripe berries. The palate is surprisingly rounded and soft, delivering robust layers of creamy vanilla, candied orchard fruit, cinnamon spice, and natural wood sugars not found in standard younger offerings. The experience concludes with a long, elegant finish that strikes a flawless balance between traditional Kentucky sweet char, warm baking spices, and a delicate, lingering smooth oak complexity.

For discerning international collectors and bourbon enthusiasts, the 135th Anniversary Small Batch serves as an essential centerpiece demonstrating the cutting edge of modern blending innovation. Because this special commemorative vintage release was highly restricted to a total production run of exactly 15,060 bottles allocated globally across both size profiles, acquiring an intact 700ml/750ml bottle on the secondary market represents an immediate pinnacle milestone for any curated top-shelf collection. Its historical stature deepens for devotees tracing the evolutionary timeline of the brand's annual limited portfolio, making it an exceptional, unforgettable pour for those who value absolute traceability, award-winning vintage balance, and heavy, untamed virgin barrel finishes.

• Size: 700ml/750ml
• Proof: 108 Proof (54% ABV)
• Age: A blend of 12, 14, 16, and 25-year-old straight bourbons
• Origin: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA
• Distillery: Four Roses Distillery
• Whiskey Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Series: Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Series
• Edition/Year: 135th Anniversary Commemorative Edition (2023 Release)
• Presentation: Collectible limited-edition 700ml/750ml glass decanter bottle featuring gold-etched rose cluster graphics, a distinctive 135th Anniversary commemorative back label badge, and a unique lot tracking layout