The 2015 Single Barrel Limited Edition from Four Roses showcased the OBSK recipe at 12 years old, bottled at barrel strength — 110.6 proof (55.8% ABV) for that year's release. OBSK combines the high-rye B mash bill (35% rye) with the K yeast, which Four Roses describes as delivering spice and full body. At 12 years in Kentucky's warehouses, the recipe gains weight and gravitas without losing its inherent character.
Selected by Master Distiller Jim Rutledge during his final years at the helm, the 2015 release was presented in the iconic frosted single barrel bottle and quickly became a collector's favorite. Each bottle bears a warehouse and barrel number, a nod to the single-cask purity of the release.
On the nose, caramel apple and toasted nuts lead, followed by warming cinnamon and a deep oak note. The palate is unapologetically spicy — rye bread crust, black pepper, and clove — but it is grounded by rich caramel and stewed dark fruit. Water opens the whiskey further, coaxing out vanilla and a soft floral lift.
The finish runs long, with pepper, cocoa, and dried cherry trailing off slowly. This is Four Roses at its most muscular, a single recipe expression that rewards patient sipping and showcases why the OBSK profile is so prized among aficionados.
