Released in 2018 to commemorate the 130th anniversary of Four Roses, this Limited Edition Small Batch was crafted by Master Distiller Brent Elliott, who blended four of the distillery's signature recipes into a single celebratory bottling. The marriage includes a 16-year-old OBSV, a 13-year-old OBSK, a 13-year-old OESK, and a 16-year-old OESK — a quartet that leans heavily on aged barrels and the fruit-forward V and spice-rich K yeast strains.
Bottled at 54.7% ABV and non-chill filtered, the whiskey pours a deep amber and opens with Four Roses' trademark cherry fruitiness, layered over oak tannin that speaks to the older components. There is a remarkable harmony here — the spice recipes bring clove and cinnamon, while the fruity recipes lay down ripe stone fruit and floral sweetness.
On the palate, the bourbon unfolds slowly, revealing brown sugar, baked cherries, and a gentle rye spice. The 16-year components contribute polished oak and a touch of leather, but the bourbon never tips into over-oaked territory. Elliott's blending hand is evident in the balance.
The finish is long and gracious, with cherry and spice persisting alongside warm vanilla. Among Four Roses' Limited Edition releases, the 130th Anniversary is widely regarded as one of Elliott's finest — a fitting tribute to a distillery whose history stretches back to 1888.
