Fun at Four Roses

[Kyjd75]

Well, today I had the privilege of participating in a private barrel selection at the Four Roses warehouses at Cox's Creek. We selected two barrels that will be sold at Eric's store in Elizabethtown, Ky., Packages and More Liquors. It was quite an experience, and I must say that Four Roses certainly does it right when doing something like this.

We sampled from ten separate barrels, one for each of their ten recipes. All were 10-12 years old. Samples were drawn straight from the barrels and had plenty of char in them. We sampled at barrel strength, and then had the option of adding water if we desired (no one did). The sampling took place in the back of the bottling operation building, and the ten barrels were lined up on the floor immediately adjacent to where we sampled.

Ultimately we chose one barrel each of the OESF and the OBSF recipes. All that we sampled were good, but to us these barrels stood out. Can't wait to see them in the store and take some home!

[theglobalguy]

Thanks for sharing. Glad to see despite how busy these distilleries are becoming that they still put full effort into programs like this.

Now the more serious question is how you can type full paragraphs having sampled so much bourbon? You sir are clearly a professional!

[smknjoe]

I've heard great things about their hospitality during the barrel selection process.

Did they pull the barrels from the semi-trailer in the back, or directly from the rickhouse?

[Kyjd75]

I've heard great things about their hospitality during the barrel selection process.

Did they pull the barrels from the semi-trailer in the back, or directly from the rickhouse?

The barrels had already been pulled when we arrived, so I don't know how long they had been there. We did see a semi-trailer arrive and backup to where we were about 15 minutes before we actually went in. Trailer was there during our sampling, so they may have come from that trailer, but honestly I don't know.

[smknjoe]

It sounds like they may have pulled some "fresh" barrels for you. I was just curious. I'm sure it doesn't matter anyway. Looking at the picture #2 and #4 have some nice color. I'm pretty impressed. We don't have many SB selections anywhere in Houston. The only ones I've seen are BT an ER10 and they were chosen by BT not by anyone locally.

[Tony]

That is just great, thank you for sharing.

I hope to be able to get a barrel some day.

Best regards, Tony

[scubadoo97]

No one does it better than Four Roses. Jim is a wonderful host and a super nice guy

[P&MLiquorsEric]

The winners.

[squire]

Thanks for allowing me along on the journey, that sounds like a cracking good way to spend a Friday.

[Phil T]

[ATTACH]15401[/ATTACH]A couple of photos. Mr Rutledge was not in attendance out host Dan was more than gracious. [ATTACH]15402[/ATTACH] The winners.

[smokinjoe]

Well done, fellas! I'm sure your selections are terrific. When do you think they will hit the store?

:toast:

[Restaurant man]

[ATTACH]15401[/ATTACH]A couple of photos. Mr Rutledge was not in attendance out host Dan was more than gracious. [ATTACH]15402[/ATTACH] The winners.

Nice! Everybody here loves to see a winning barrel.

[Crowes]

Awesome. Just a few days ago I did a tour of that facility. I was lucky in that I was the only person there. When I was shown that back section where they do the private tasting for barrel selections I kept wondering what it would be like to be there doing an actual tasting... now I know (a little at least lol). Very cool of you to share, thank you.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Well done, fellas! I'm sure your selections are terrific. When do you think they will hit the store?

:toast:

Not sure. I'm guessing a month or so.

The winners were oBSF and OESF. Both about 11 years old. Same yeast, two different mashbills.

[trader1974]

Awesome! Thanks for posting the pics and details. I look forward to picking up some.

[hectic1]

Great Pics...Four Roses does IMO the best job of any of the distilleries with their single barrel tasting events with KBD coming a close second. Did you guys sample the barrels blind (not knowing the recipes) or did you specify what recipes were to be in the tasting? The last couple times we've picked blind the F's popped to the front on 3 of 4 selections...those barrels seem to hit their peak in the 10-11yr range where the other recipes mature a little earlier. :cool:

[WAINWRIGHT]

OBSF and OESF @ 11yrs. those should be some great barrels indeed,enjoy guys!I am a recently converted F fan myself,I will have to agree with Bob as in the past I would just pass them over and now I can't get enough.

[MyOldKyDram]

That F yeast is still my least favorite, but I'm willing to give it another go. For science. Maybe I'll head to Etown when you guys get these in.

[Barrel_Proof]

Ultimately we chose one barrel each of the OESF and the OBSF recipes.

Well done! I will try to swing by the store after these arrive. --Cliff

[hectic1]

OBSF and OESF @ 11yrs. those should be some great barrels indeed,enjoy guys!I am a recently converted F fan myself,I will have to agree with Bob as in the past I would just pass them over and now I can't get enough.

I wonder how that happened? :cool:

[p_elliott]

Well, today I had the privilege of participating in a private barrel selection at the Four Roses warehouses at Cox's Creek. We selected two barrels that will be sold at Eric's store in Elizabethtown, Ky., Packages and More Liquors. It was quite an experience, and I must say that Four Roses certainly does it right when doing something like this.

We sampled from ten separate barrels, one for each of their ten recipes. All were 10-12 years old. Samples were drawn straight from the barrels and had plenty of char in them. We sampled at barrel strength, and then had the option of adding water if we desired (no one did). The sampling took place in the back of the bottling operation building, and the ten barrels were lined up on the floor immediately adjacent to where we sampled.

Ultimately we chose one barrel each of the OESF and the OBSF recipes. All that we sampled were good, but to us these barrels stood out. Can't wait to see them in the store and take some home!

Note to self: Go to Elizabeth town in September.

[bigtoys]

great experience. thanks for sharing the pics!

[Kyjd75]

Although I expect Eric to jump in here with more info, I can report that the finished product has finally arrived! I bought the first bottle this morning of both the OESF and OBSF variations. We opened the OBSF at the store to see if it was as it should be, and I must say it was at least as good as I remembered, or perhaps even better. Eric has several cases of each at present.

[MyOldKyDram]

Very cool. Glad these finally came in for you guys!

[Old Dusty]

Hope they last until Aug 10 when I'll be in Etown. Would like an OBSF to bookend the TPS OESF I already have.