4 Roses Single Barrel 2011 Limited Edition

[callmeox]

I doubt that anyone at Four Roses actually tastes the bottle in question.

There's no way in hell I would taste an open returned bottle if I was in their position. Nose, dump, respond...that's it. Too many crazies in his world.

[jburlowski]

I wasn't attacking anyone or criticizing anyone's taste. What I was trying to say (admittedly without great clarity) was that the 2011 LE is significantly different from most people's experience with FRSB. If you're expecting something akin to the standard FRSB, you will likely be surprised (postively, neutrally, or negatively).

[bad_scientist]

I wasn't attacking anyone or criticizing anyone's taste. What I was trying to say (admittedly without great clarity) was that the 2011 LE is significantly different from most people's experience with FRSB. If you're expecting something akin to the standard FRSB, you will likely be surprised (postively, neutrally, or negatively).

[wripvanwrinkle]

From hereafter I will read OBSQ as "obsequious." I can't wait to finally pop my bottle tonight. I wonder...will I be one of the enlightened few that sees through the curtain of obedience? Or will I remain blinded within the flock?

(I kid...I kid...)

[AaronWF]

A Binny's SB OBSQ was the first Four Roses bourbon I purchased, and it knocked my socks off. I had never tasted such an exotic bourbon so well-balanced. There was an astringency to it that was beautifully countered by a light maple sweetness. So I bought the 2011 SB LE wondering what I would be getting for twice the money (the Binny's bottle was on sale for $40, though they usually go for $55).

Initially, I was disappointed in the LE. I had just savored a 100th Anniversary bottle, and I found the 2011 SBLE to be too hot and heavy to appreciate. The more time the bottle spends open, however, the more I am appreciating it. There was a simplicity to the balance in Binny's OBSQ, even though the flavors that balanced each other were exotic. The 2011 SBLE is much more complex, with seemingly never-ending caverns of taste to explore.

[OscarV]

Can we all just calm down and enjoy whiskey together?

Um, no,...that's why I always put up between me and the computer monitor, (click on thumbnail below) before I venture into SB.com Land.

[Josh]

Um, no,...that's why I always put up between me and the computer monitor, (click on thumbnail below) before I venture into SB.com Land.

So that's why your face looks like that. Getting a little too close to the screen?:stickpoke:

[DreamTheater]

Ha, I was reading the 15 or so posts and, for a second there, it looked like things were getting a bit heated. I do not wish to be the root cause of any conflagration.

Well look, two things are working against me: I make a reasonable amount of money and I am mildly obsessive compulsive. By the latter I mean that I feel compelled to buy every bourbon available in the Nebraska market. Nebraska sucks for good liquor in general but we do have a few gems and a decent variety (though little enough in the really rare stuff).

I said all that to point out that I have bought four new bottles and the spirit remains alive: I love EVERY bourbon I have (save the one). Yes, Cabin Still is elcheapo while my new bottle of George T Stagg is orgasmic. Yes, sorry, i just went there. All this culminates to a point I already made and probably shoudl not be bringing up again: either the bottle is tainted or this particular barrel sucks.

I looked at the store where i bought it and they have, I kid you not, 10 bottles of this exact same cask. So shit - I cannot get a different cask to enjoy the insanity some of you are claiming from your bottle.

And someone here brought up the questionability of trying an already opened bottle. I would sooner find myself dead than fuck over someone trying to do right by me. I know said person was not impugning my honor but...I dunno...I just find that in the two communities I frequent the most: scotch/bourbon and firearms that people there are still of a mentality of honor and integrity. To the point where we could be left alone for a long period of time in our favorite distributors of our products and not do a single dishonest thing. I surely will be sending my bottle back untampered with and would gladly drink it prior to Brent to prove this. Sorry if I am berating the point but I find this not an unreasonable point brought up by the person who mentioned it but something that bothers me that it would appear in this board.

Not picking a fight but just saying that high quality spirits typically find only honorable patrons in my modestly broad experience.

[jburlowski]

I'm sure Scott (callmeox) was not suggesting that you would tamper with a bottle's contents before returning it. What he was simply saying (and correct me Scott if I'm mis-interpretting you) is that no one at FR will actually taste te borbon. They will run tests for cork taint or other problems.

By all means, return it. My experience with the major distillers (although not personally with FR) is that they want a) satisfied customers; and to be made aware of any contamination / problem with their product in the marketplace.

For example: when I complained about the infamously bad WRMC4G, B-F sent a prepaid mailer for me to return the bottle. They reported that they could find nothing wrong with it but sent a check for the cost and a nice letter of apology that I had a bad experience with their product.

Your graphic description of the subject bourbon leads me to conclude that it is likely a bad bottle or, possibly, a bad barrel.

[Josh]

And someone here brought up the questionability of trying an already opened bottle. I would sooner find myself dead than fuck over someone trying to do right by me. I know said person was not impugning my honor but...I dunno...I just find that in the two communities I frequent the most: scotch/bourbon and firearms that people there are still of a mentality of honor and integrity. To the point where we could be left alone for a long period of time in our favorite distributors of our products and not do a single dishonest thing. I surely will be sending my bottle back untampered with and would gladly drink it prior to Brent to prove this. Sorry if I am berating the point but I find this not an unreasonable point brought up by the person who mentioned it but something that bothers me that it would appear in this board.

Not picking a fight but just saying that high quality spirits typically find only honorable patrons in my modestly broad experience.

I think you mean belaboring the point, not berating.

The noble DreamTheater

Hath told you Ox was unreasonable:

If it were so, it was a grievous fault;

And grievously hath Ox answer'd it.

Here, under leave of DreamTheater and the rest, —

For DreamTheater is an honorable man, so are we all honorable men.

He I come to respond to Ox's post

He is my friend, faithful and just to me:

But DreamTheater says he was unreasonable;

And DreamTheater is an honorable man.

O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,

And men have lost their reason.

[callmeox]

My post was not a knock on the OP, but a realistic assessment of the situation.

If you were in QC at a distillery, would you taste a returned bottle?

[Brisko]

I think you mean belaboring the point, not berating.

The noble DreamTheater

Hath told you Ox was unreasonable:

If it were so, it was a grievous fault;

And grievously hath Ox answer'd it.

Here, under leave of DreamTheater and the rest, —

For DreamTheater is an honorable man, so are we all honorable men.

He I come to respond to Ox's post

He is my friend, faithful and just to me:

But DreamTheater says he was unreasonable;

And DreamTheater is an honorable man.

O judgment! thou art fled to brutish beasts,

And men have lost their reason.

[White Dog]

My post was not a knock on the OP, but a realistic assessment of the situation.

If you were in QC at a distillery, would you taste a returned bottle?

[DreamTheater]

True enough Ox. I did like the poet post of the other person.

As an aside I think I learned a lesson not to post whilst nicely buzzing on bourbon. Berate? Indeed what a stupid error. Belabor would indeed be the correct word.

Going purely off of what Brent has said he mentioned wanting to try it himself.

So anyways, no attitude meant on my behalf Ox.

I guess my mind just slammed violently into the single thought that people, even those in such an honorable profession as creating sweet, sweet booze need be concerned about the villainy of those that would place needles in Halloween Candy, unscrew the top of salt shakers, or increase the urine content in the soup at the Pressman Hotel. I am luckily none of those people but indeed we live in such a world.

[OscarV]

:stickpoke:

OUCH! Your stick poked thru my chickenwire!

[DreamTheater]

So the final chapter in this saga has come to pass. After speaking with Brent at 4R he arranged to have a bottle of Small Batch Limited Edition hand delivered to me (after going through all requisite legal channels). Needless to say this bottle is wonderful.

It is very rare to have someone stand so resolutely and quickly behind their product. Due to this rarity I find myself one dedicated supporter of 4R products and frankly cannot say enough good things about their professionalism.

[CaptainQ]

So the final chapter in this saga has come to pass. After speaking with Brent at 4R he arranged to have a bottle of Small Batch Limited Edition hand delivered to me (after going through all requisite legal channels). Needless to say this bottle is wonderful.

It is very rare to have someone stand so resolutely and quickly behind their product. Due to this rarity I find myself one dedicated supporter of 4R products and frankly cannot say enough good things about their professionalism.

Bravo!! Glad to hear it worked out for you. Kudos to the Four Roses team.

[cowdery]

When Four Roses sent me a sample of this back in the spring, I guess I missed the fact that it wasn't being released until now. That review is here.

I probably made a mistake not putting Four Roses in the subject line.

[DeanSheen]

I've had mine for months Chuck. Not sure why you are under the impression that they had not been released till recently.

[cowdery]

This thread, several blog reviews, all starting in early November.

I'm experiencing a temporal distortion.

[DeanSheen]

This thread, several blog reviews, all starting in early November.

I'm experiencing a temporal distortion.

[cowdery]

Don't worry. Of this I am apparently the only victim.

[MHDena]

Anyone else remember how 2009 and 2011 compare?

[White Dog]

Anyone else remember how 2009 and 2011 compare?

Everyone's taste is different. My palate says that the 2011 is good, the 2009 divine.

[fishnbowljoe]

Anyone else remember how 2009 and 2011 compare?

2009 Mariage = Warm, spicy, cinnamon like red hots flavor. A bit on the "hot" side.

2011 SMB LE = 2009 Mariage amped up even more.