Four Roses unveils 2024 Small Batch Bourbon

This year’s release from Kentucky distillery Four Roses marks the 17th edition in the highly coveted annual series and comes from four Bourbon batches.

Four Roses has released the specifications of its 2024 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon. The annual limited release blends together aged stocks from the distillery's 10 Bourbon recipes, each with a distinct combination of mashbill and yeast strain. The 2024 Limited Edition Small Batch bottling blends together 12-year-old Bourbon that uses the OBSV recipe (31%), 15-year-old Bourbon with the OESK recipe (23%), 16-year-old Bourbon with the OESF recipe (39%), and 20-year-old Bourbon with the OBSV recipe (7%). The letters indicate which mashbill and yeast strain is being used. “Each year, we strive to bring a new and exciting experience to your glass by blending variations of our distinct recipes to create something you’ve never tasted before from Four Roses,” said Brent Elliott, Four Roses master distiller. “This year, the recipes we hand-selected have created something truly vibrant, bright and unique, while still maintaining a nice delicate spice at the end.” Bottled at 54.1% ABV and priced at US$220, 2024 Limited Edition Small Batch will be available at both Four Roses visitor centres in Kentucky from 14 September and at select US retailers starting that same month. There are approximately 16,680 bottles available in the US. The whiskey shows notes of creamy vanilla, honey, and brown sugar on the nose, with ripe berries and tangy citrus on the palate. Elliott says the process of creating the new whiskey takes him six to eight weeks, and he calls the release the most special thing that they do each year. "This is my favourite just because it's the one chance we get to be creative, show what we can do as a brand with our best barrels, and demonstrate how those 10 recipes can create such variety and uniqueness each year," he said.