2014 Four Roses LE Single Barrel

[Kpiz]

I was excited to grab a bottle of this today. I got #3342/7122. Similar to what others have reported, my local shop has purchased 4 PS barrels over the course of the year and was allocated 3 bottles. Thankfully they saved one for me.

[HD 335]

Finally cracked open my bottle and not giving it time to air out a bit, I felt it tasted smoother and rounder compared to the OESF store select I have. The peppery notes noted by smokinjoe is more noticeable than the store select. The store select I have has more a spice note, clove a little mint than pepper. There is a greater/noticeable transition from the initial taste of soft, slightly floral and caramel to the peppery spice in the LE SiB. From memory, the store select seemed a bit hot from the mid palate through the finish while the LE was much smoother throughout the tasting. I may do a blind side and side tasting tonight, debating if I should let the LE SiB sit for a few more days. My initial preference is the LE since I don't mind the peppery notes. This is definitely not the usual Four Roses profile I've become accustomed to, however the complexity and the transitions is super. This is a pour that goes down easily, especially if you don't mind the peppery notes. I don't claim to have a discerning palate or nor do I try and pretend to, but I enjoy challenging myself to learn more about tasting notes and from others here. Cheers!

[bicktrav]

Great review. Congrats on the bottle. Hoping to get one myself soon.

[dcam1075]

Does anyone know when this will be available in Maryland? I called my "go to" local shoppe and they said their distributor is telling them late June, and they are guessing they will only get 6 bottles. That sounds a bit bleak to me.

Thanks,

David

[P&MLiquorsEric]

Doing better than those of us in the hornets nest. 4 btls and we will have purchased 6 barrels in last year when our next batch arrive soon. It's only getting worse.

[petrel800]

Doing better than those of us in the hornets nest. 4 btls and we will have purchased 6 barrels in last year when our next batch arrive soon. It's only getting worse.

Eric, in your opinion, do you think that KY used to get more of the special releases prior to the last 2-3 years and now more of them are making their way to other states due to demand, or do you think that the larger chains in KY (it seems Liquor Barns and Kroger stores have a strong strangle hold on Louisville and Lexington, just my observation) are just demanding and receiving a bigger share of those allotments?

[ModernThirst]

Eric, in your opinion, do you think that KY used to get more of the special releases prior to the last 2-3 years and now more of them are making their way to other states due to demand, or do you think that the larger chains in KY (it seems Liquor Barns and Kroger stores have a strong strangle hold on Louisville and Lexington, just my observation) are just demanding and receiving a bigger share of those allotments?

I tried for the 4RLE at 3 different Liquor Barns in Louisville (among a couple of other places), and each LB got 12 bottles (one got 6), which sold out in about an hour or two each, according to the employees. I whiffed, and wound up buying their private selection OESF instead.

[kcgumbohead]

I am hoping more GA stores select F recipes for their PS bottles in the wake of this years LE. K PS picks seemed to pop up like mushrooms last year, at least that's what I am hoping.

[GerryM]

What are you guys paying? The only price I've seen is $85 which seems high but this is my first time chasing it.

[Tony]

What are you guys paying? The only price I've seen is $85 which seems high but this is my first time chasing it.

I paid $90 here in Michigan which is a little above the state minimum. But they came and went fast and I was glad to get two bottles for that price.

Best regards, Tony

[404TN]

90 and 99 for me in Atlanta.

[P&MLiquorsEric]

99.99 for the 4 bottles we had. Wholesale price increased about $11 from last year.

Our private selections are still only $49.99.

[HD 335]

99.99 for the 4 bottles we had. Wholesale price increased about $11 from last year.

Our private selections are still only $49.99.

[flaminiom]

I paid $90 here in Michigan which is a little above the state minimum. But they came and went fast and I was glad to get two bottles for that price.

Best regards, Tony

Can I ask where this was? From mid-Michigan and west everyone seems to be saying the few bottles in state are landing in the metro area.

[Restaurant man]

Can I ask where this was? From mid-Michigan and west everyone seems to be saying the few bottles in state are landing in the metro area.

You can ask but.....

[GerryM]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I thought I should jump at it but I knew better to call the NH state store in advance which showed 6 bottles on hand. I've gotten burned before driving all the way up there only to find they were either "gone" on being held for someone. Good thing I called since they told me they only had a couple of bottles and they were being held for someone who called. They pull this sh*t all the time especially with the releases of the BTAC's. I only questioned the price earlier since lately NH's prices have actually been higher than MA for many items.

Thanks again!

[Tony Santana]

Got a bottle yesterday, decided last night I'd inaugurate it with a side by side with an OESV I have - partly because it's the only other store selection 4R I had open, partly because I love the OESV and it therefore set the bar pretty high. OESV was 4 proof points higher.

The nose on the LE was a definite winner between the two. The taste had an initial caramel sweetness, not overpowering, then (as some have noted) got very peppery. A little too much so for my liking. Finished off with a faint bit of fruitiness. Interestingly, the finish on the OESV was more peppery than the LE. I rated the OESV a better pour. But just a couple drops of water really tamed the peppery component, turned it into something else. Cloves? Just that bit of water pretty much evened the two pours out in my estimation.

Edited June 15, 2014 by Tony Santana

[Tony]

Can I ask where this was? From mid-Michigan and west everyone seems to be saying the few bottles in state are landing in the metro area.

Good Day-

This was in Livonia and Ann Arbor.

Best regards, Tony

[OscarV]

This was in Livonia and Ann Arbor.

I have been bugging a couple of retailers in Saline.

For the last three weeks they have placed an order for me but MI LCC keeps coming back with "Out Of Stock".

I guess Washtenaw county isn't metro enough for them.

[flaminiom]

Thx. I guess we'll see if any make it up 96.

[Paddy]

I tried for the 4RLE at 3 different Liquor Barns in Louisville (among a couple of other places), and each LB got 12 bottles (one got 6), which sold out in about an hour or two each, according to the employees. I whiffed, and wound up buying their private selection OESF instead.

This mirrors the Lexington release as well.

[woosterbill]

I've been pestering my local store, and just found out that they'll be getting their allotment of 2 bottles tomorrow. One of them can be mine for $105, which seems to be on the high side. But it is Connecticut, so I was expecting that. Oh, well, I suppose I have to crack the triple digit barrier someday, and might as well do it on this one. Cheers!

[joboyd]

Indiana allegedly received only 60 bottles in total, with the state's biggest retail chain getting a whopping six. Reserved a bottle at $75.

[bicktrav]

Still trying in Southern California. Haven't heard of any stores receiving anything yet.

[bananaslug]

Im also looking in socal. Called around the inland empire with no luck.