Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch is a non-chill filtered and barrel strength limited edition release from Four Roses. This series was created by former Master distiller Jim Rutledge who retired in 2015 and passed the torch to current Master Distiller Brent Elliot who hand selects exceptional barrels from their one-story warehouses and 10 bourbon recipes to create something more delicious as a whole. This bourbon is released every fall in limited quantities. In 2020, 14,040 bottles were released in the U.S. The first-ever release in 2010 was 3,600 bottles, so as you can see popularity has increased significantly in its first decade.
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Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2020 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2020 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 111.3 Proof |
| ABV | 55.65% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OBSV - Delicate Fruit and Rye OBSK - Rye and Baking Spice OESV - Delicate Fruit and Caramel OESK - Baking Spice |
| Age | 12 year old OBSV (30% of the blend), 19 year old OBSK (20%), 12 year old OESV (25%), and 16 year old OESK (25%) |
| Bottles | 14,040 |
| Distillery | Four Roses Distillery 1224 Bonds Mill Rd. Lawrenceburg, KY 40342 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $150 |
| Pros | Perfectly Balanced Sweet and Spice |
| Cons | No Weakness |
| Availability | Nationwide |
| Rating | Gold 96.6 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Buy. Buy. Buy. |
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2020 is an oil slick. Twirling this bourbon in my Glencairn glass produces waves of thick bourbon. It’s copper color.
Nose – 96 out of 100 Points
The nose is intense. It’s warning you it’s gonna punch you in the face. It’s rich red berry sweetness, baking spice, and nougat covered in caramel. The more I dive into the Glencairn glass the more I like it. I can’t say it more plainly than the nose smells like a Four Roses bourbon on steroids.
Taste – 98 out of 100 Points
This is perfectly balanced sweet and spice. And damn it’s nice. The sweetness is more luscious red berries at season peak covered in sugar then cooked down. Just a touch of creaminess on the tip of the tongue.
Then the spicy hits and your mouth starts to slowly tingle. But it’s not in a one-hit-wonder where your palate is blown to bits. It’s like the best plate of Thai food you’ve ever had where the flavors build alongside a tingling heat. It’s savory baking goods with dark, rich Szechuan peppercorn reduced caramel drizzle.
Finish – 95 out of 100 Points
The finish is long and perfectly balanced all flavors from nose to taste.
Verdict – Gold 96.6 out of 100 Points
Buy it. Enjoy it. That goes without saying. This release had more spice than previous releases, but it was the spice in service of flavor through and through. It’s actually a Master Class on balancing spicy notes with other flavor profiles.
P.S. This living tasting with Brent Elliot was too awesome not to share:
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2019 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2019 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 112.6 Proof |
| ABV | 56.3% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | 21 year OBSV – Delicate Fruit and Rye 15 year OESK – Baking Spice 15 year OESV – Delicate Fruit and Caramel 11 year OESV – Delicate Fruit and Caramel |
| Age | Blend of 11, 15, and 21 year old bourbons |
| Bottles | 13,440 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $140 |
| Pros | Well Rounded and Complex from Nose to Finish |
| Cons | Hard to Find |
| Availability | Nationwide |
| Rating | Gold 95.3 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Buy. Buy. Buy. |
Nose – 95 out of 100 Points
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2019 offers a gorgeous nose with fruit, subtle baking spice, light caramel, and floral honey.
Taste – 96 out of 100 Points
The palate offers delicious floral and rock fruit notes balanced with a warming baking spice and a creamy mouthfeel. Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2019 is a rich, complex, and fruity chewing experience.
Finish – 95 out of 100 Points
The finish is great. The warming baking spice carries through with sweet vanilla charred oak.
Verdict – Gold 95.3 out of 100 Points
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2019 and 2020 are polar opposites — 2020 is a more robust spice and 2019 is sweeter with undertones of baking space. Yet they are both delicious and demonstrate the range of Four Roses’ 10 recipes.
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2018 130th Anniversary Review
| 4R LE SmB 2018 130th Anniversary | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 108.3 Proof |
| ABV | 54.15% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OBSV – Delicate Fruit and Rye OBSF – Delicate Rye and Mint OESV – Delicate Fruit and Caramel OESK – Baking Spice |
| Age | 10-year-old Bourbon from the OBSV recipe, a 13-year-old OBSF, 14-year-old OESV, and 16-year-old OESK |
| Bottles | 13,140 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $140 |
| Pros | Great Mouthfeel |
| Cons | May Be Hot for Some Drinkers |
| Availability | Nationwide |
| Rating | |
| Inventory | Buy. Buy. Buy. |
“For this Limited Edition Small Batch, I wanted to create something very special to celebrate the 130th anniversary of our brand,” said Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliott. “From the beginning of the process, I focused on building around the unique fruit flavors in our F and V yeast strains, and these flavors shine through in the finished product. As a contrast, I also included a spicy, older batch. By mingling these different flavor profiles, I think we achieved a wonderfully balanced, complex and unique Bourbon. I could not be happier with the result and can’t wait for you to taste it.”
Nose – 93 out of 100 Points
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2018 starts with a pop of cherry streusel, floral honey, caramel covered green apple, prunes, and vanilla. As you can tell, this is a master class in sweeter notes. But the palate offers complexity in terms of baking spice and heat.
Taste – 94 out of 100 Points
The cherry shows up on the front palate but transitions into spicy cinnamon candy, pear, green apple, dough, and more floral honey.
Finish – 93 out of 100 Points
It offers a long finish with honey, cinnamon, and rye spice. Lots of warming spices that create a classic Kentucky hug finish.
Verdict – Gold 93.3 out of 100 Points
I could chew on this all day long. Another complex and balanced offering from Four Roses.
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2017 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2017 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 107.3 Proof |
| ABV | 53.65% |
| Mashbill | 75% Corn, 20% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OESK – Baking Spice OESV – Delicate Fruit and Caramel All Low Rye Recipes |
| Age | 15-year-old OESK, 13-year-old OESK, and a 12-year-old OESV |
| Bottles | 13,800 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $130 |
| Pros | coming soon |
| Cons | coming soon |
| Availability | Nationwide |
| Rating | coming soon |
| Inventory | coming soon |
Full Review Coming Soon
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2016 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2016 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 111.2 Proof |
| ABV | 55.6% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OESO - Rich Fruit and Vanilla OBSV - Delicate Fruit and Rye OESK - Baking Spice |
| Age | 12-year-old OESO, 12-year-old OBSV, and 16-year-old OESK |
| Bottles | 9,258 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $90 |
| Pros | coming soon |
| Cons | coming soon |
| Availability | Nationwide |
| Rating | coming soon |
| Inventory | coming soon |
Full Review Coming Soon
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2015 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2015 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 108.5 Proof |
| ABV | 54.25% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OBSK - Rye and Baking Spice OESK - Baking Spice OBSV - Delicate Fruit and Rye |
| Age | 16-year-old OBSK recipe, 15-year-old OESK, 14-year-old OESK, and 11-year-old OBSV |
| Bottles | 12,600 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $90 |
| Pros | Coconut Ferrero Rocher Nose, 'Nuff Said |
| Cons | Rare and Limited |
| Availability | Rare and Limited |
| Rating | Gold 97 out of 100 Points |
| Inventory | Buy. Buy. Buy. |
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2015 was legendary Four Roses Master Distiller Jim Rutledge last Limited Edition Small Batch. He brought the brand back from the brink of extinction and had a celebrated 49 year career in the whiskey industry. Boy, Rutledge went out with a bang. This year has been my favorite Four Roses LE Small Batch by far. I’m excited to share my tasting notes shortly.
Nose – 98 out of 100 Points
The 2015 LE is a sweet bourbon lover’s dream, and it has a flavor I love in a bourbon — coconut. That to me is what makes this nose standout. It’s reminiscent of a coconut Ferrero Rocher with that interplay of chocolate and coconut along with honey made from berries.
Taste – 96 out of 100 Points
2015 LE offers a beautiful mouthfeel. It’s creamy and smoother but still packs some bold flavors. More coconut comes through along with dried cherries and chocolate. Deep rich caramel joins the party and warming baking spice round out a complex bourbon.
Finish – 97 out of 100 Points
The finish doesn’t disappoint. This is the rare bourbon that scores at all three level. I get a wonderful vanilla soaked charred oak, roasted hazlenut, and molasse.
Verdict – Gold 97 out of 100 Points
I was in love with this year of Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch from the first drink. Any chance you have to trade for one, drink one at a bar, or procur a sample take it. You won’t be disappointed. It’s an absolutely stunner.
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2014 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2014 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 111.8 Proof |
| ABV | 55.9% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OBSV – Delicate Fruit and Rye OESV – Delicate Fruit and Caramel OBSF – Delicate Rye and Mint OBSK – Rye and Baking Spice |
| Age | 13 year old OBSV, 12 year old OESV, 11 year old OBSF, and 9 year old OBSK |
| Bottles | 11,200 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $90 |
| Availability | Nationwide |
Full Review Coming Soon
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2013 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2014 125th Anniversary | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 110 Proof |
| ABV | 55% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OBSV – Delicate Fruit and Rye OBSK – Rye and Baking Spice OESK – Baking Spice |
| Age | 18-year-old OBSV, 13-year-old OBSK, and 13-year-old OESK |
| Bottles | 8000 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $90 |
| Availability | Nationwide |
Full Review Coming Soon
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2012 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2012 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 115 Proof |
| ABV | 57.5% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OBSK - Rye and Baking Spice OESK - Baking Spice OBSV - Delicate Fruit and Rye |
| Age | 12-year-old OBSK, 12-year-old OESK, 11-year-old OBSV, and 17-year-old OBSV |
| Bottles | 4,000 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $90 |
| Availability | Nationwide |
Full Review Coming Soon
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2011 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2011 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 111.2 Proof |
| ABV | 55.6% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OBSK – Rye and Baking Spice OESQ – Delicate Grains and Light Floral Character OESV – Delicate Fruit and Caramel OESK – Baking Spice |
| Age | 13-year OBSK, 13-year OESQ, 12-year OESV, and 11-year OESK |
| Bottles | 3,500 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $90 |
| Availability | Nationwide |
Full Review Coming Soon
Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2010 Review
| 4R LE SmB 2011 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 110.1 Proof |
| ABV | 55.05% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OBSV – Delicate Fruit and Rye OBSK – Rye and Baking Spice OESK – Baking Spice |
| Age | 5-year-old OBSV, 11-year-old OBSK, and 10-year-old OESK |
| Bottles | 3,600 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $75 |
| Availability | Nationwide |
2010 is the first edition of Four Roses LE Small Batch series and was intended to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Lawrenceburg distillery. It followed on the heels of the Four Roses’ Marriage series, which released in 2008 and 2008. Marriage was a blend of only two of Four Roses’ 10 recipes whereas small batch typically blends three or four recipes.
Full Review Coming Soon
Four Roses Marriage 2009 Review
| 4R Marriage 2009 | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 114 to 118 Proof |
| ABV | 57 to 59% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | OBSK – Rye and Baking Spice OESO – Rich Fruit and Vanilla |
| Age | 10 years old OESO and 19 years old OBSK |
| Bottles | 3,432 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $80 |
| Availability | Nationwide |
“Four Roses has the ability to select two, or more, of our ten unique recipes for this special annual bourbon,” said Rutledge. “It’s not often a bourbon is aged to perfection at 19 years, but this year’s edition is an exception. This is a special occasion and we look forward to sharing it.”
Full Review Coming Soon
Four Roses Marriage 2008 Review
| 4R Marriage 2008 120th Anniversary | Details |
|---|---|
| In the Bottle | 112.4 Proof |
| ABV | 56.2% |
| Mashbill | Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley |
| Recipes | Unknown |
| Age | 13 year old and 10 year old |
| Bottles | 3,500 |
| Style | Small Batch |
| Size | 750 mL |
| Suggested MSRP | $70 |
| Availability | Nationwide |
Full Review Coming Soon
Start shopping for bourbon clothing and accessories for your journey. The Bard’s Shop has custom tees and hoodies, books, barrels, and more.
Written by Matty Sims
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