Best 4R Single barrel to replace 2015 LE SMB

[Sean Bond]

What are peoples' thoughts on a good replacement for the above? Obviously nothing will quite match up, but I figured I'd look for a  Four Roses single barrel that could reduce my urge to drink what little I have of 2015's LE Small Batch. Binny's makes this relatively easy since they purchase barrels of each expression.

 

Given that there's 16yr OBSK, 15yr OESK, 14yr OESK and 11yr OBSV, I thought OESK might be a good choice, but figured I'd ask around here, in case people have tried some of the single barrel stuff in conjunction with this year's LE. Thoughts?

 

[tanstaafl2]

53 minutes ago, Sean Bond said:

What are peoples' thoughts on a good replacement for the above? Obviously nothing will quite match up, but I figured I'd look for a  Four Roses single barrel that could reduce my urge to drink what little I have of 2015's LE Small Batch. Binny's makes this relatively easy since they purchase barrels of each expression.

 

Given that there's 16yr OBSK, 15yr OESK, 14yr OESK and 11yr OBSV, I thought OESK might be a good choice, but figured I'd ask around here, in case people have tried some of the single barrel stuff in conjunction with this year's LE. Thoughts?

 

Buy several and see what you can come up with for a personal blend. That addition of OBSV may have been just the push that the OESK needed to really light up!

Otherwise I should think it is pretty hard to reproduce what is in a Small Batch, even if it isn't a LE with older components, with just a singe recipe.

[Louisiana]

The biggest problem I see is they save their oldest for the Small Batch LE.

Maybe others have seen older bottles, but every OESK PS I've seen has been around 10 years.

Sublime bottles either sell very fast or nobody tells where the honey barrels are. Just being honest.

Best bet is to buy several bottles and see what you like the most!

[flahute]

The oldest PS I've ever seen is a 12yr old OBSK (which was great so I picked up multiples). I've heard of slightly older than that, but they are rare at this point since as said above, they and older ones are saved for the LE's.

[heydobro]

I'm a big OBSK fan and Gift Shop included I've only seen 9 and 10 yeat picks on the shelf.  I have a 10 year warehouse ME from the gift shop that I've really  enjoyed.  I have 7 or 8 of the other recipes and plan some side by sides in the near future.  I plan on splitting up the B and E families and then drinking them based on yeast codes for those I have the pair of.  It's too bad I didn't jump on more picks when they were closer to $50.

[Sean Bond]

12 hours ago, Louisiana said:

The biggest problem I see is they save their oldest for the Small Batch LE.

Maybe others have seen older bottles, but every OESK PS I've seen has been around 10 years.

Sublime bottles either sell very fast or nobody tells where the honey barrels are. Just being honest.

Best bet is to buy several bottles and see what you like the most!

 

11 hours ago, flahute said:

The oldest PS I've ever seen is a 12yr old OBSK (which was great so I picked up multiples). I've heard of slightly older than that, but they are rare at this point since as said above, they and older ones are saved for the LE's.

Yeah, the age is definitely going to be the biggest issue, and there's not really any way around that one, unfortunately. I'll settle for a somewhat similar flavor profile, though; getting something anywhere close that I can drink on a regular basis for almost half the price (assuming $60 for a barrel strength pick) would still be very worth it.

[flahute]

For me, a really good OBSK has been the most similar to the LE's

[kcgumbohead]

I've not had the '15 but did/do have '13 &'14 and enjoyed my share of '12. I enjoy the LEs and honestly have enjoyed the PSSBs just as much. Faced with the prospect of choosing between say the '13 SmbLE and several of the PS SBs across several recipes I am just as happy with the SB, 3-4 examples immediately come to mind I would choose OVER any of the Smb LEs I've had. 

I love the multifaceted personality of the Smb but the SBs at barrel strength also display a multilayered profile even though they are a single recipe of a single barrel. Explore the SBs and you may find yourself rationing those pours as favorites emerge, and they will. OESK looks like a good place to start 

[tanstaafl2]

Which reminds me that I need to get my FR "Frankenstein" out! Combination of everything left over when we got our last barrel pick that nearly filled a 750ml bottle. A little of just about every recipe except the two Q's which weren't available at that time.