Four Roses Mariage Collection

[wadewood]

I just read John Hansell's blog and he posted about a new Four Roses limited edition small batch bourbon. Details here:

http://blog.maltadvocate.com/2008/09/10/new-four-roses-mariage-collection/

[Gillman]

Good catch Wade, thanks.

Gary

[craigthom]

I heard Jim Rutledge talk about this a few months ago, and I think he's most excited about the opportunity to show how versatile their two mash bills and five yeasts are.

[Virus_Of_Life]

Glad to see it is finally going somewhere, I started a thread about this 4 months ago and never saw anymore news.

For humor's sake here is the text of my post:

"""Did they read my post? At the very least they are listening to the masses, our masses anyway:

"During conversation with our MMC members I also talked about another Limited Edition Bourbon we plan to introduce this September – Small Batch this time round. We will marry two of our recipes into another Four Roses barrel strength Bourbon classic. This will be the first in a series of annual Small Batch renderings named the “Mariage Collection.” Mariage is the French word for Marriage, and is very appropriate and descriptive of the uniquely tasting Bourbons Four Roses can offer with its ten variable Bourbon recipes/flavors. I’m already excited about the “Mariage Collection – 2009.” Will we use two recipes again or will we try 3 or 5 or…flavors? We have an infinite number of options, and every rendering will be different in flavor and character."

It sure is good to hear about the new things coming out!"""

[fricky]

Does anyone know when it will be available?

[craigthom]

The goal was to have it available for Let's Talk Bourbon next Friday, and I haven't heard of any delays.

[ACDetroit]

Just received a call on this bottling and was shocked to here the price for a Small Batch, it going to run the same as the 120th bottling. If you think you want one PM me, I have my contact ordering a few but not many as I don't want a bunch of these.

My bourbon brother from another mother (you know who you are), I have you covered as long as you are in for the couple you requested. If more let me know?

Tony

[OscarV]

2 be good Tony,.... maybe we better be low key with this one, remember the trouble we stirred up with the 120th.

[Sir Toby Belch]

Yes, I remember!

[ACDetroit]

I'm only gettin a few of these. Nothing like the 120th trip! I have 6 on order currently.

Hey Toby, good to see you around. Hope your enjoying your stay still and that you get the chance to go meet some SBer's at the KBF or Gazebo!

Cheers!

Tony

[callmeox]

This hit the street in Bardstown on Thursday. I was totally surprised to see it on the shelf at Liquor World when we went in to spend some of Fishnbowljoe's money so I had to spend some of my own.

[HighTower]

Anyone have a pic?

Scott

[Sir Toby Belch]

Tony,

I won't be at the KBF, but I hope you and many others from SB enjoy your time there! (The event that seems the most interesting to me is the Saturday night bash with the master distillers. But I would never consider renting a tux to drink bourbon in. Black tie and bourbon? It doesn't seem like an obvious mix.) By the way, I have seen Four Roses 120 from time to time available in the Lexington KY area, even recently. So I am sure that all enthusiasts who wanted a bottle were able to obtain it. Obviously, my initial concerns were quite misplaced. Also, I'm sure there will be plenty of the new Heaven Hill release available at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center. At $500 a pop, it should be in the shelf there for quite some time.

Again, best wishes for a great time at the festival!

Toby

[spun_cookie]

During this series they should put a 7yr bourbon out called "Itch".

[OscarV]

Anyone have a pic?

Scott

Here is a thumbnail I swiped.

As usual FR does another great looking bottle.

I hope the whisky is good, I do not like the regular FR Small Batch.

[craigthom]

I think the bottle is the same as the regular small batch, but with printing on the bottle insted of the label.

I had a small sample last night. It's an interesting bourbon. It's very different from other Four Roses releases.

When I talked to Mr. Rutledge about this a couple of months he was excited about the Mariage collection (there will be more) because it will allow him to show the flexibility that their two mash bills and five yeasts give him.

[jinenjo]

Anyone know if this hit the California shelves yet?

[HighTower]

Thanks for the pic Oscar...

What price does it run at??

Scott

[jeff]

Thanks for the pic Oscar...

What price does it run at??

Scott

Scott,

From what I've seen, it's running right around $70.

[doubleblank]

I only had one pour at the Festival, but I found this to be a little unbalanced....or I'll use the term "busy". Perhaps "over-the-top" spiciness would be a better description. I need to revisit it, but it would rank below FR's standard SB to me, especially at the price.

Randy

[Gillman]

I compared this last night to a Party Source selection of Four Roses SB. I find the Mariage rather better and my sample is rich and soft with the spice and flower notes well-integrated. I think this Four Roses is the best I've ever had. With so many single barrels out there and variations in the Four Roses bourbon line, it is hard to say anything is best, but still. I haven't had the 120th yet but many of the single barrels I've had seem a little wood-heavy: Mariage avoids that.

Gary

[Rughi]

...I found this to be a little unbalanced....or I'll use the term "busy". Perhaps "over-the-top" spiciness...

Randy

One of the great things about having known a lot of the sb.commies for awhile is that one starts to get a sense of how their preferences relate to your own.

Randy's assessments are very reliable for me. If he says it has "over-the-top" spiciness I imagine it has a pronounced rye influence, maybe an unwelcome amount of wood (although with Four Roses I doubt it's too much wood for my taste) and perhaps a bit of yeasty tartness running around in there.

And...knowing myself, that means that I've gotta have it!

Roger

[Gillman]

Well, one thing I think we are agreed on is that this new expression really strays from the palates put out to date by Four Roses.

Gary

[doubleblank]

Exactly Roger....I know you'll like this Mariage as will many others here at SB.com. I have also found a couple of people here whose preferences correlate well with mine. Its no secret that I like a sweeter, nuanced style versus some of the in-your-face bourbons out there. But I also enjoy some of the weightier styles when I find a flavor component that I find enjoyable. WT Tribute has a "choclate covered cherry" note that I thoroughly enjoy.

When I tasted this Mariage, I didn't add a cube of ice or any water. This one comes out at 114 proof (+/-), higher than FR's previous bottlings I've had. Perhap when I revisit it with a cube, I may find a better balanced (for me) whiskey. As Gary said, Jim Rutledge did attain his goal of releasing something completely different with this one.

Randy

[Virus_Of_Life]

Personally, I may skip this one.

I may buy one bottle just to try, but I am kind of getting tired of all the $70 bourbons from them. I kind of thought when I first read about this it would be more along lines of a standard release, not another a premium priced bottling. Don't get me wrong I appreciate those, but at some point I'd just prefer to drink very good $16 AAA quality bourbon. And as for the bottle, yeah it that same irregular shape that the small batch is in with different finishes. I'd prefer something I can ship and store more easily.