Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2021

Review by: Raygun

Revisiting another release of one of my favorites. While not enjoying the hype of some other annual releases, I’d take Four Roses LE Small Batch over many of them. Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 10 minutes.

Distillery: Four Roses

Brand: Four Roses  

Region/style: Kentucky straight bourbon

ABV: 57.1% 

Age: A blend of bourbons 12-16 years: 16-year-old bourbon from the OBSV recipe, 14-year-old OBSQ, 12-year-old OESK, and  16-year-old OESV.

Cask type: New charred oak

Color: 1.5 auburn. Natural color.

Nose: One thing I’ve loved about these is the sandalwood fragrance, and this brings it. Also cherries, eucalyptus, and caramel corn. Toasted wood.     

Palate: Palate delivers. Heavier on the caramel now, still got the cherries, maple syrup, and that lovely complex woody flavor. I don’t know if it’s the yeasts or the barrels that bring that sandalwood flavor, and I don’t care. It’s great.   

Finish: French toast, caramelized bananas, maple syrup. Not as bright as the palate, but richer. Caramel cookies. And yeah, there’s the sandalwood. I might be tasting this tomorrow.  

Bonus wife note: “Smells great, but tastes too strong. I taste osmanthus.” 

Conclusion: Absolutely fantastic. Not a lot more I can say. I still think these are one of the best yearly releases out there, at least the ones I’ve tried. Much rather have one of these than OFBB, for example. The Four Roses profile just hits for me. 

Buy a bottle? This is one I’d seriously consider, if I could get a somewhat decent price.

Score: 92

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Stagg Jr batch 12)
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof (new))
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Pikesville Rye)
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Wild Turkey 101)
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Maker’s Mark)
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Grandad 114)
  • 0-49: Blech. (High West Yippee-ki-yay)

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

Leave a comment