2014 Four Roses LE Single Barrel

[Quantum]

Just a word of caution. I have only tried the F recipes a few times. I just bought a store select OESF and I like it. But, the F recipes are different animals. I wouldn't consider buying this just because it is an LE unless you are certain you like the F profile. It is a lot of dough to drop on something without knowing what you getting.

[joboyd]

I really enjoy this year's release, though certainly prefer last year's Small Batch LE to it. A little water helps tame it. Four Roses is just putting out consistently great products, and I'm happy to spend for something even a little different from my preferred profile taste just to try what they're putting out. Can't wait to try (hopefully) this year's Small Batch LE.

[Creggor]

Wow you purchased 6 barrle in the past year and you get 6 bottles of the 2014 LESB That is Brutal..Creggor

[Creggor]

Ok With bottle number 5124.. What state are you IN??? I have bottles 5019-5022 and Live is S.W. Florida.. I was trying to see if the bottle number had any variable to location by state etc. Thanks in advance. Creggor

[garbanzobean]

As predicted, my internet order fell through. I was, however, able to obtain a bottle (1181, 57.0%, warehouse HW, barrel 47-2G, $89.99+tax). Left another on the shelves of my honey hole, and alerted a fellow MD SBer that had asked. Unfortunately, this bottle is for my non-SB friend, as I decided I don't need anymore limited edition bourbon. For the time being, anyway. I will let you all know how it is, as I'm sure he will give me a few fingers as a finders fee.

[gusto16]

FWIW, I'm pretty sure this hit Maryland sometime this week. Good hunting, y'all.

[joboyd]

Ok With bottle number 5124.. What state are you IN??? I have bottles 5019-5022 and Live is S.W. Florida.. I was trying to see if the bottle number had any variable to location by state etc. Thanks in advance. Creggor

I'm in Bloomington, Indiana.

[OscarV]

Bottle numbers 4340, 4342 & 4344 I don't know where they were purchased at but I know where they are now.:cool:

[Tony]

Bottle numbers 4340, 4342 & 4344 I don't know where they were purchased at but I know where they are now.:cool:

Congratulations Oscar, glad you were able to find some.

Best regards, Tony

[whiskeyagonzo]

I finally cracked mine and here are my thoughts. This particular bottle weighed in at a healthy 63.8 ABV

It was very closed at first. Never had that happen on a FR before. I added a few drops of water and it opened up nicely. I picked up some cocoa, clove and a tiny bit of oak and maybe some brown sugar in there too. More of same on the palate with some herbal notes added in. Ended with a slightly spicy, with a minty, but dry and well balanced and medium length finish.

[Old Dusty]

Jared, thanks for the notes. I passed on this release and I don't think I regret the decision, but I'm sure it was worth it to those that did buy.

[Creggor]

Hello. Has anyone seen a review from Whisky Advocate.. For this years 2014 FR LESB.. I know John Hansell rated last years 2013 FRLESMB as whiskey of the year.. I was curious to hear how they liked this years LTD SB. I have checked their web site several times recently and so far nothing posted.. Maybe they poasted a review for general release that has not made their publication. Thanks in advance. Creggor

[petrel800]

Hello. Has anyone seen a review from Whisky Advocate.. For this years 2014 FR LESB.. I know John Hansell rated last years 2013 FRLESMB as whiskey of the year.. I was curious to hear how they liked this years LTD SB. I have checked their web site several times recently and so far nothing posted.. Maybe they poasted a review for general release that has not made their publication. Thanks in advance. Creggor

Unless you get the exact bottle of single barrel he reviews, it's kind of a moot point. Plenty of reviews in this thread though.

I did check their archive and it's not in there. Typically it's on his top 10 of summer list when it's released.

[warrenjl1]

Jared, thanks for the notes. I passed on this release and I don't think I regret the decision, but I'm sure it was worth it to those that did buy.

This just came in to my usual shop today... Wrestling with whether to pick one up. Feel the same as some others on here. The price compared to their usual cask-strength single barrel offerings is keeping me away. However, I think I WILL regret passing! Ha.

[Tucker]

The top 10 reviews from the upcoming issue were released today. John gave the 2014 FR LE SB a rating of 95.

[Tony]

The top 10 reviews from the upcoming issue were released today. John gave the 2014 FR LE SB a rating of 95.

Wow, I thought it was good, not sure I thought it was that good. But good at any rate.

Best regards, Tony

[tigerlam92]

I guess that's the beauty of bourbon, we all like slightly different aspect.

I don't think it's that great either at least for my taste preference too.

[OscarV]

I really like the 2014 4R1B LE.

I think it is Mariage/Small Batch LE-esque.

I can understand such a high rating.

[HD 335]

I've tried two different 2014 LE SiB barrels and both were good. I still prefer 2013 and 2012 is about equal in terms of personal enjoyment. I traded away one of my bottles to get something far more interesting.

[cloudatlas]

When I went on a 4R distillery tour, I was told that 4R uses only single-story rickhouses to eliminate the sort of temperature swings that account for aging variation due to warehouse location in multiple story warehouses. In other words, unlike the warehouses at Buffalo Trace, there should theoretically be no "sweet spots" because the whole warehouse is sweet spot. Given that, can anyone comment on how big the difference there is between this year's LE and, say a store-select (like Binny's) 11 year-old OESF barrel strength bottling?

[tanstaafl2]

When I went on a 4R distillery tour, I was told that 4R uses only single-story rickhouses to eliminate the sort of temperature swings that account for aging variation due to warehouse location in multiple story warehouses. In other words, unlike the warehouses at Buffalo Trace, there should theoretically be no "sweet spots" because the whole warehouse is sweet spot. Given that, can anyone comment on how big the difference there is between this year's LE and, say a store-select (like Binny's) 11 year-old OESF barrel strength bottling?

I don't know if I can directly answer your question but as it happens I was at Four Roses Cox Creek yesterday (to pick a barrel of OBSV 100 pf) and got to walk through one of the rickhouses. It was much cooler than the outside in the middle of the afternoon on a hot day and seemed pretty consistent throughout at least at floor level. The ricks are stacked six barrels high.

It is worth noting that the bottom of the rickhouse is ventilated and there is no floor under the barrels themselves, only bare ground. So I expect there could be some variation amongst the six levels of barrels.

I recently had the opportunity to compare somewhat similar barrel picks to the 2013 LE and the 2014 LE (in my pseudo legendary Wednesday Tastings thread! :cool:). While I find the variations to be subtle at times I did note differences.

In addition 4 of the 5 barrels we tasted yesterday were aged in the same rickhouse in the same rick with distillate from the same day. And yet they were all a bit different!

[bicktrav]

When I went on a 4R distillery tour, I was told that 4R uses only single-story rickhouses to eliminate the sort of temperature swings that account for aging variation due to warehouse location in multiple story warehouses. In other words, unlike the warehouses at Buffalo Trace, there should theoretically be no "sweet spots" because the whole warehouse is sweet spot. Given that, can anyone comment on how big the difference there is between this year's LE and, say a store-select (like Binny's) 11 year-old OESF barrel strength bottling?

I've got to say, one of the best bottles I've ever owned was a store select OBSV with a proof of about 110 aged just above 11 years. I've compared it against last year's Single Barrel Limited, and I've got to say I really think the store select won. Now I know it's not the best comparison because they use different recipes, but the point is that irrespective of recipe preference the store selects really are extraordinary and on par with the limiteds. I think that hints at the way they structure the rickhouse. Of course there will always be differences, but I totally believe them when they say there aren't honey barrels. Whether it's got a limited label or not. everything that comes out there is gonna be great.

[Restaurant man]

Typically when for roses sends samples for an OBSV barrel that will be the standard 100 proof private pick they send 3 samples grouped in 1 row in the same rick and two samples of another rick with the row in common. We don't know the ages cause we don't have the barrels in front of us. They are all very different. I doubt anyone would suspect they were aged in the same row. Guess that's atmospheric and barrel differences.

[Creggor]

The top 10 reviews from the upcoming issue were released today. John gave the 2014 FR LE SB a rating of 95.

Hi Trucker. Thanks for the heads up.. Nice to see John like this release.. Creggor

[Creggor]

I'm in Bloomington, Indiana.

Hi Oscar. Ok your Trukey collection can wake up and Smell the Roses.. Life's good.. Creggor Edited August 27, 2014 by Creggor