The 2016 Limited Edition Small Batch holds a special place in Four Roses history as the final Limited Edition release overseen by Master Distiller Jim Rutledge before his retirement. Rutledge, who spent nearly 50 years with the distillery, crafted a parting blend worthy of his legacy: a 12-year-old OBSV, a 16-year-old OBSK, and a 16-year-old OESK.
Bottled at 55.6% ABV (111.2 proof), non-chill filtered, the whiskey brings together the fruit of the V yeast with the pronounced spice of K yeast, anchored by substantial maturity. Two of the three components are 16 years old, giving the blend weight and oak-driven depth.
On the nose, dark cherry and maple sit alongside roasted oak and cinnamon. The palate is rich and chewy — cherry cola, toffee, clove, and a rye-driven warmth that resolves into leather and cocoa on the back end. Rutledge's blending signature is clear: balance between sweetness and spice, with age lending gravitas rather than bitterness.
The finish is long and well-spiced, carrying dark fruit and cocoa. Widely praised on release, the 2016 Limited Edition Small Batch is regarded as one of Rutledge's finest farewells, a bottle that collectors still chase and enthusiasts still toast. It closes a remarkable chapter in Four Roses' modern history with all the grace and depth one would expect from a master at the peak of his craft.
