New Four Roses Single Barrel

Part of my selections from my last trip to Kentucky the wonderful Four Roses distillery has sent us yet another stellar cask bottled exclusively for K&L. This special high rye bourbon (the "B" mashbill has 35% Rye grain) uses the spicy and delicately fruity "V" yeast strain was aged for 8 years and 7 months in the coveted M warehouse. Located on the 4th tier on the western side of this large low lying dunnage style warehouse means this cask has seen more intense heat than the majority of the casks being aged at the Coxs Creek facility on the road between Louisville and Bardstown. The result is one of the highest proof 4Rs we've seen yet, but a tiny drop of water mellows the intense spice while retaining the bold creamy texture of this special whiskey.  

Four Roses "K&L Exclusive" Single Barrel OBSV (Aged 8 Years & 7 Months) Cask Strength Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey $64.99 - Two decades ago Kentucky bourboners were struggling to stay in business. Today, nobody can keep up with demand, and the bourbon distilleries are producing at full blast. It's true that we might not see the great old whiskeys of yesteryear for some time, but that doesn't negate the fact that absolutely stunning whiskey is coming out of Kentucky. Distillers are more collectively focused on the quality of their straight bourbons than ever. Back in January 2009, when Mr. Rutledge was distilling this very cask of whiskey, Kentucky's fortunes had already begun to turn. Many decades of decline for the country's most quintessential tipple were subsiding and the Bluegrass state had entered its current renaissance period. Things changed during this period for the consumer. No longer could ultra-aged bourbons be procured without ordeal, but those same distilleries were still producing some of American history's best whiskey day after day across Kentucky. Today we reap those benefits. This special bourbon, distilled from the flagship V yeast strain and the extra high rye mash bill, is the perfect example of how special the production at this Lawrenceburg facility was during the period. A nose of incredible power and spice, bold notes of fresh mint and sweet stewed stone fruit, exotic honey and baking spice. The palate is bold and spice driven replacing the grace of a typical cask with intensity and power.

-David Othenin-Girard