View Full Version : BOTM 4/10: 2009 Four Roses Mariage
fishnbowljoe
04-08-2010, 19:30
Gonna switch gears a little bit this time around. Thanks to a suggestion from a fellow member, 2009 Four Roses Mariage is our BOTM for April 2010. I know this bourbon isn't distributed as widely as the last couple of BOTM's, but I'd like to try and cover all areas of the spectrum if possible. Cheers, and happy posting. :grin: Joe
My two cents, for what it's worth. Great nose! Spice with a little candy/floral? Taste, well..... the higher proof definitely gives it a punch, but not to the point that it's too much to handle. Definitely a tummy warmer though. Very spicy, cinnamon, with a little cloves and pepper. To me the finish is very interesting. Reminds me of Big Red or Dentyne gum. I have noticed the same thing in a couple of other bourbons, but not nearly as much as with the 09 Mariage.
Nice post Joe...I think you accurately described the 09 Mariage. I picked up a number of bottles of this a couple weeks ago and I'm looking forward to getting into them a little deeper. Thanks for keeping this going Joe. :) I'll have a pour of this over the next couple days and post my thoughts. :cool:
ErichPryde
04-08-2010, 22:41
I keep hearing imperial red hots, or cinnamon red hots, and I have to agree. It's a toasty and cinnamony whiskey!
I am going to pick up a bottle this weekend and give it a try. The tasting notes are intriguing. This will give me a good chance to try out the old GC glass, again.
Good choice! And good notes too.
I am on record with the opinion elsewhere, but let me reiterate, 2009 MARIAGE IS THE GREATEST WHISKEY I HAVE EVER TASTED.
Good choice! And good notes too.
I am on record with the opinion elsewhere, but let me reiterate, 2009 MARIAGE IS THE GREATEST WHISKEY I HAVE EVER TASTED.
While I don't know that I would go quite as far as Josh has it's certainly a fantastic pour and in my top 10! If you haven't had the opportunity to try this bottling from Four Roses pick up a bottle...be prepaired to pay $65-$80 for this premium bottling though! :)
CorvallisCracker
04-09-2010, 09:46
While I don't know that I would go quite as far as Josh has it's certainly a fantastic pour and in my top 10! If you haven't had the opportunity to try this bottling from Four Roses pick up a bottle...be prepaired to pay $65-$80 for this premium bottling though! :)
Probably just as well that's it's not available here, given that I'll be writing a couple of large checks on the 15th. :hot:
2009 MARIAGE IS THE GREATEST WHISKEY I HAVE EVER TASTED.
If it ain't then it's damn close.
I have given it Holy Grail status along with '96 Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, Julio's W L Weller Centennial and of course Four Roses Jim Rutledge 40th Anniversary.
That's 2 HG's for 4R.
jburlowski
04-09-2010, 13:54
I agree... simply one of the best bourbons I have ever tasted. Great depth and maturity without too much char and oak.
Makes me excited for the 2010 Mariage.
Makes me excited for the 2010 Mariage.
Let's not forget the '08 Mariage, floral heaven.
p_elliott
04-09-2010, 22:30
One of my favorite bourbons, definitely cinnamon red hot candy. I need another bottle or two of this.
I bought one of these awhile back and finally opened it last Sunday on my 50th birthday, great stuff!
jburlowski
04-12-2010, 15:40
I bought one of these awhile back and finally opened it last Sunday on my 50th birthday, great stuff!
Happy B-day!:icon_pidu:
Happy B-day!:icon_pidu:
Thanks, I appreciate it!
:toast:
The 2009 Mariage is excellent. Even as a relative newbie I can tell this stuff us complex, yet well balanced. I'm digging the floral/fruity/spice thing goin on.
Why can I find the other 4R selections around, but not these?
Dang me, dang me, they oughta take....
jsbac
Why can I find the other 4R selections around, but not these?
Dang me, dang me, they oughta take....
jsbac
I just checked out the Binny's website and it looks like they ship to Arkansas. I don't think I'd ever leave my house if I could have bourbon (legally) shipped to my door. :grin:
I bought mine from Binny's and had it shipped.
The 2009 Mariage is excellent. Even as a relative newbie I can tell this stuff us complex, yet well balanced. I'm digging the floral/fruity/spice thing goin on.
Newbie or not, you nailed it Dude!
Yes, my Mariage 2009 arrived this morning. Looks like tonight will be a Four Roses night!
Now I have no excuse.
I just checked out the Binny's website and it looks like they ship to Arkansas. I don't think I'd ever leave my house if I could have bourbon (legally) shipped to my door. :grin:
So I got my bottles from Binny's and gave this a try Friday night. Have to admit, I really like it. Have to agree with the comments so far. Definitely get that cinnamon red hot taste and some nice rye spice as well. It is a very enjoyable bourbon.
bankerjoe
04-19-2010, 10:58
It looks like it will be quite difficult (and expensive) for me to get a bottle here in Philadelphia. I hope one of the whiskey bars here has it for me to try. Although it only looks like one place has it listed, and I am not sure what year/vintage.
The more I drink this stuff the more I like it. I think it may top any of the Van Winkle products I have. I need to bunker at least one more so I won't feel bad drinking the whole bottle. I'm surprised it doesn't disappear of the shelves as fast as the BTAC and anything Van Winkle.
The more I drink this stuff the more I like it. I think it may top any of the Van Winkle products I have. I need to bunker at least one more so I won't feel bad drinking the whole bottle. I'm surprised it doesn't disappear of the shelves as fast as the BTAC and anything Van Winkle.
I agree here...I have 1 open and 3 bunkered but I'm planning on picking up a bottle or two in Indy this week as you can never have too much of a good thing. :)
The more I drink this stuff the more I like it. I think it may top any of the Van Winkle products I have.
It truley is unique. Better than Van Winkle's? Some yes.
This Mariage is to ryed bourbons what Van Winkle's are to wheaters.
This Mariage is to ryed bourbons what Van Winkle's are to wheaters.
Well said Oscar. I'll co-sign that. :toast:
Going to finish the night with a pour of this fine bourbon...I'm glad a have a number of these bunkered for the future! :)
Man, I can't get any of the specialty FR offerings here in NH. I ragged on 'em hard for nearly two years and we finally got FR1B here but I don't think I have it in me to undertake another unrelenting email campaign. Looks like a phone call to Binny's or Julio's may be in order.
Cheers, ya lucky bastids!!
p_elliott
05-21-2010, 02:33
I picked up another one of these in Houston for a very good price of $75
Res/st-or
06-10-2010, 17:45
Tried some belonging to a friend a while back. I was caught off guard by the cinnamon red hot flavor. Very special indeed.... Will pick up one of my own soon.
DeanSheen
06-10-2010, 18:03
I'm quite enamored with this juice. I was able to do a side by side with the 08 and I prefer the 09 by alot. Both bottles had some air and the 09 was just creamy goodness.
I've been hoping for a windfall so I could stash some of this. So tasty.
I too love the 09 FR Mariage...it's one of my favorite pours! :cool:
Reading all of these posts about FR Mariage makes me want to have some...I definitely know what will be on the menu for tonight! :cool:
First time posts, and figured it should be about the bourbon I was researching when I found this site.
Got a bottle of it here in Indy (and must go get another, now, and "bunker" it as y'all say).
This bourbon in only two pours has easily become one of my favorite.
I love the nose with taffy, butterscotch, and peppery goodness. Unlike many others with such high %, even in a snifter there is no overwhelming presence of an alcohol smell/burn in the nose. In a word, inviting.
The taste at first is of caramel and pepper, but then I pick up leather and pipe tobacco. This is a perfect bourbon for early winter when the temps start to drop and the leaves have abandoned their trees, but there is no snow cover... the grass is brown the trees are bare and the world is preparing to hibernate in a blanket of white.
The finish is exactly as others have said - cinnamon. I love the way this rounds out at the end (starting with the sweet, moving to the robust, ending with the spicy)... it is what bourbon should be. Delicious. Seductive.
My store in Indy has two bottles left - probably will go pick one up later this week (and the second if my fear of this bottling disappearing before my eyes)... While marriage lasts forever, mariage does not.
birdman1099
11-08-2010, 18:28
First time posts, and figured it should be about the bourbon I was researching when I found this site.
Got a bottle of it here in Indy (and must go get another, now, and "bunker" it as y'all say).
This bourbon in only two pours has easily become one of my favorite.
I love the nose with taffy, butterscotch, and peppery goodness. Unlike many others with such high %, even in a snifter there is no overwhelming presence of an alcohol smell/burn in the nose. In a word, inviting.
The taste at first is of caramel and pepper, but then I pick up leather and pipe tobacco. This is a perfect bourbon for early winter when the temps start to drop and the leaves have abandoned their trees, but there is no snow cover... the grass is brown the trees are bare and the world is preparing to hibernate in a blanket of white.
The finish is exactly as others have said - cinnamon. I love the way this rounds out at the end (starting with the sweet, moving to the robust, ending with the spicy)... it is what bourbon should be. Delicious. Seductive.
My store in Indy has two bottles left - probably will go pick one up later this week (and the second if my fear of this bottling disappearing before my eyes)... While marriage lasts forever, mariage does not.
Great first post, Tex.... I think you nailed it.
FWIW,I believe Indy has quite a few of the Mariage left on the shelves. Just look about.
Hey TexIn, if you want something truly unique track down a bottle of the '08 Mariage, like distilled rose petals.
Thanks for the suggestion, Oscar. I understand they have discontinued the Mariage series (or rather re-named it?)... can someone fill me in on this?
If any of you are in Indy or ever passing through, head directly to Vine and Table for your shopping needs (north side of town, just in one of the suburbs). Their staff is exceptional, their knowledge unmatched (close, though, is Kahn's). I went to Vine and Table and dropped some coin on a few bottles I wanted to store away and also some great food selections at their store. Wife and I had a nice evening in after putting the boy to bed last weekend with some wine, cheese, bourbon, desert, and a fresh loaf of sourdough she made.
But, back to Vine and Table.. shopping there is an experience, not an excursion. Wish I lived less than 45 minutes away so I could stop in more often*
Also about the '09 Mariage, I tried it for the first time this week in a single-malt glass (had been using a pinot noir glass before), and I was shocked how different it tasted - not better, not worse, just different. It really opened up the front and middle of the palate, while still leaving the enjoyable big-red gum finish. As I become more enamored with the world of bourbon, it occurs to me now maybe to do a tasting of 2 or 3 bourbons but in different glasses, taking it one bourbon at a time while trying a few glasses - be it a bourbon glass, single-malt, glencairn, etc.
*On second thought, it might be better for my wallet to not live any closer than I do now.
I understand they have discontinued the Mariage series (or rather re-named it?)... can someone fill me in on this?
I think it was basically marketing.
They release a Limited Edition of the Single Barrel in the Spring and now they'll be doing an Autumn Limited Edition of the Small Batch.
If any of you are in Indy or ever passing through, head directly to Vine and Table for your shopping needs (north side of town, just in one of the suburbs). Their staff is exceptional, their knowledge unmatched (close, though, is Kahn's). I went to Vine and Table and dropped some coin on a few bottles I wanted to store away and also some great food selections at their store. Wife and I had a nice evening in after putting the boy to bed last weekend with some wine, cheese, bourbon, desert, and a fresh loaf of sourdough she made.
But, back to Vine and Table.. shopping there is an experience, not an excursion. Wish I lived less than 45 minutes away so I could stop in more often*
*On second thought, it might be better for my wallet to not live any closer than I do now.
V & T is very, very nice and shopping there really is a great experience. Last time I was there, though, their their prices seemed to be quite a bit higher than at Kahn's. Did you find that to be the case when you were there TexIn?
callmeox
11-16-2010, 05:43
I think it was basically marketing.
They release a Limited Edition of the Single Barrel in the Spring and now they'll be doing an Autumn Limited Edition of the Small Batch.
From what Jim Rutledge said the small batch LE sneak peek, they felt that Mariage limited them to just two mashbills per release and moving to the small batch name opened up more possibilities.
They were probably being mindful of the possibility of combining three or more mashbills and having to answer the "what kind of marriage is this?" questions.
In retrospect, they probably could have just called it Plural Mariage and left it at that. I'm sure it would nave been a hit in Utah.
It should also be noted that the Small Batch LE is composed of younger whiskeys than the Mariage was, so I suspect there was a bit of a cost savings at work as well. Not that the LE isn't a very good whiskey, it is.
Last time I was there, though, their their prices seemed to be quite a bit higher than at Kahn's. Did you find that to be the case when you were there TexIn?
Not in every case. Just have to go bottle by bottle to compare prices. Four places in Indy have a decent selection of bourbons and I've found different prices at each - V&T, Kahn's, 21st Am., and Payless (southside locations on Emerson and Meridian have pretty large selections). Ri1 (although I don't drink it) is the whiskey with the greatest parity in prices (anywhere from $29-$59).
FWIW, the couple of extra bucks at V&T is worth the experience and the knowledge of the staff. Same with Kahn's. Go to a 21st or a Payless and you're on your own.
I just purchased a few bottles of the 2009 online for $64.99/bottle. I was really happy to find it at such a good price. If nothing has changed since the last time I spoke to them (last week) they should still have a minimum of 3 bottles left in stock, and they ship to most states. They also have the Parkers Heritage wheated at $74.99 along with some other premiums. Send me a PM if you are interested.
I never came across this one but if it is anything like the current small batch I certainly missed out.
vBulletin® v3.6.4, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.