The 2019 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch features a 21-year-old component the first time in the history of the series. A blend of four exceptional recipes, the oldest of which waited two decades.

Four Roses produces bourbon from ten distinct recipes two mashbills (B and E) crossed with five proprietary yeast strains and the annual Limited Edition Small Batch is the Distiller’s opportunity to blend the most exceptional barrels from across those recipes into a single, unrepeatable release. The 2019 is a milestone: a 21-year OBSV appears for the first time in the series alongside a 15-year OESK, 15-year OESV, and 11-year OESV.

The inclusion of 21-year-old bourbon in a Four Roses blend is historically significant. Four Roses’ Kentucky climate hot summers, cold winters accelerates maturation dramatically compared to Scottish or Irish whisky production. At 21 years in a Four Roses rickhouse, the oak interaction is profound. The result is a blend of exceptional depth, balance, and complexity that only comes from the specific combination of those four recipes at those specific ages.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep, rich amber.
• Aroma: Complex and inviting caramel, dried apricot, vanilla, baking spice, and a deep fruit richness from the aged components.
• Palate: Full-bodied and exceptionally balanced. Caramel, dark fruit, warm oak spice, and a long, integrated sweetness that reflects the age and recipe diversity.
• Finish: Long and layered dried fruit, vanilla, and oak fading slowly into a warm, spiced close.

The Four Recipes

• 21-year OBSV: Mashbill B (high rye), yeast strain V (delicate fruit, cream, spice)
• 15-year OESK: Mashbill E (low rye), yeast strain K (full body, caramel, vanilla)
• 15-year OESV: Mashbill E (low rye), yeast strain V (delicate fruit, cream, spice)
• 11-year OESV: Mashbill E (low rye), yeast strain V (delicate fruit, cream, spice)

Specs

• Distillery: Four Roses, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Recipes: OBSV (21yr), OESK (15yr), OESV (15yr), OESV (11yr)
• Size: 750ml
• Release: 2019 Limited Edition Small Batch

Explore the full Four Roses collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What do the Four Roses recipe codes mean? Four Roses uses a four-letter code for each recipe. The first letter is always O (for Old Four Roses). The second letter is the mashbill: B (high rye, ~60% corn, 35% rye) or E (low rye, ~75% corn, 20% rye). The third letter is always S (straight whiskey). The fourth letter is the yeast strain: K (full body, caramel, vanilla), V (delicate fruit, cream, spice), O (rich fruit, caramel), Q (floral, spicy), and F (herbal, light).
• Why is the 21-year component significant? This is the first time a 21-year-old bourbon appeared in the Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch series. Kentucky’s climate ages bourbon faster than most spirits at 21 years, the oak contribution is profound and the flavor development exceptional. Including it in a blend marks a meaningful milestone for the distillery.
• How does the 2019 Limited Edition compare to other Four Roses LE releases? Each year’s Limited Edition uses different recipes and ages, making them truly unrepeatable. The 2019 is widely considered one of the strongest in the series due to the 21-year component and the specific recipe combination. It won’t be re-released.
• Is this suitable for bourbon beginners? Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch is more of a collector and enthusiast bottle the recipe complexity and age are best appreciated by drinkers who already know and enjoy bourbon. That said, Four Roses’ house style tends toward approachable fruit and floral notes, making this more accessible than comparable high-proof or heavily peated alternatives.

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