Four Roses has long occupied a curious position in the American whisky landscape — a name that carries serious weight among collectors yet remains approachable enough to sit comfortably on a well-stocked back bar. This Small Batch Limited Edition, bottled in 2014, represents the kind of annual release that sends enthusiasts into a quiet frenzy. At 55.9% ABV and carrying a secondary market price of £750, it demands a moment of honest appraisal.
Let me be clear about what you're getting here. This is a cask-strength Kentucky whisky from a distillery whose reputation for blending multiple recipes into a cohesive whole is well established. The Small Batch Limited Edition releases have historically been among the most sought-after American whisky bottlings of any given year, and the 2014 edition arrived during a period when interest in premium Kentucky whisky was accelerating sharply. That context matters when you're weighing up the price tag.
At 55.9%, this is not a whisky that asks to be rushed. It has the kind of presence in the glass that rewards patience — the sort of bottle you open when the evening has cleared and there's nothing competing for your attention. Four Roses' approach to small batch releases has always leaned on the careful selection and marrying of barrels, and while I cannot confirm the specific recipes involved in this particular bottling, the Limited Edition line has consistently delivered complexity that justifies the format.
Tasting Notes
I will be straightforward: I'm not going to fabricate a detailed breakdown of nose, palate, and finish where my notes don't support it. What I can tell you is that at this proof, you should expect a whisky with genuine depth and a richness that cask-strength Kentucky expressions tend to carry. A few drops of water will open it considerably — don't be shy about that. The style of these Limited Edition releases leans towards layered, full-bodied character with enough structure to stand up to the ABV without becoming a heat exercise.
The Verdict
At £750, this is collector territory. There's no getting around that. A decade on from its bottling, this release has become one of those bottles that sits at the intersection of drinking whisky and investment piece. For what it's worth, I believe it remains a genuine drinking whisky — one with enough pedigree and careful construction behind it to justify cracking the seal rather than letting it gather dust on a shelf. A score of 7.8 out of 10 reflects a whisky that delivers on its promise of quality and limited availability, while acknowledging that the price point has moved well beyond what most of us would consider casual spending. If you find one at a reasonable figure, it's worth your time. If you already own one, it's worth opening.
Best Served
Neat, in a Glencairn, with the bottle at room temperature. Give it ten minutes in the glass before your first sip, then add water sparingly — a few drops at a time — until the ABV settles into something you can sit with comfortably. At 55.9%, this whisky has plenty to say, but it needs a little coaxing. A single large ice cube works if you prefer, though I'd encourage you to try it without first. This is the kind of pour that belongs after dinner, with nothing else on the agenda.
