Four Roses Elliot's Select

[smokinjoe]

I tried it last night and found it good, but uninspiring.  Nothing "off" with it, just nothing that really grabbed my attention.  It seemed like a whiskey that was selected to be "safe".

[GaryT]

23 hours ago, smokinjoe said:

I tried it last night and found it good, but uninspiring.  Nothing "off" with it, just nothing that really grabbed my attention.  It seemed like a whiskey that was selected to be "safe".

 

I think this captures my thoughts as well.  Granted - OESK isn't one of my fav recipes, and I did get a hint more oak than many FRSB picks I've tried (which are typically a few years younger), but nothing that really grabbed my attention or stood out.  Although following that James Henry Georgia Bourbon that Jimmy brought . . . it was @#$%^@ spectacular!!

[BigRich]

I tried it last night and found it good, but uninspiring.  Nothing "off" with it, just nothing that really grabbed my attention.  It seemed like a whiskey that was selected to be "safe".

What Joe said. Still a fine whiskey but my first real disappointment from a 4R LE since they started them a few years back. The 25%+ price hike makes it even sadder.

[tanstaafl2]

On ‎7‎/‎16‎/‎2016 at 3:34 PM, smokinjoe said:

I tried it last night and found it good, but uninspiring.  Nothing "off" with it, just nothing that really grabbed my attention.  It seemed like a whiskey that was selected to be "safe".

 

I see there was an East Cobb sub committee meeting this weekend!

 

We had much the same reaction to it during our Wednesday tasting last week. Odd to say it was disappointing because it was "good". But the expectation was that it would be "great" and it wasn't. No doubt our expectations were too high but that is the current reality. And as noted when you throw in the significant price increase this one becomes even more disappointing.

[Bourbonmakesmepoop]

Well you guys are making me feel better about missing out on a bottle then, assuming that this has already hit Texas. 

I've been on the lookout, no dice.

[garbanzobean]

6 minutes ago, Bourbonmakesmepoop said:

Well you guys are making me feel better about missing out on a bottle then, assuming that this has already hit Texas. 

I've been on the lookout, no dice.

Instead of missing out on an LE, consider it conserving your resources for more private selections.

 

Even the very good Single Barrel Limited Editions have never excited me anywhere near as much as the Small Batch Limited Editions.  I think that speaks more to the extremely high average quality of barrels available in the Private Selection Program, but I also feel that the SmBLE is where the Master Distiller's skills really shine.  I would expect Mr. Elliott to make a number of safe choices in the next few years while he gets his legs under him.  When I met him awhile back (humble, friendly guy BTW), he said he was very invested in preserving the high standard Jim set for the regular expressions.  Personally I applaud that focus and look at it as a positive, but it could mean a boring few years as far as LEs go. 

[smokinjoe]

19 hours ago, garbanzobean said:

Instead of missing out on an LE, consider it conserving your resources for more private selections.

 

Even the very good Single Barrel Limited Editions have never excited me anywhere near as much as the Small Batch Limited Editions.  I think that speaks more to the extremely high average quality of barrels available in the Private Selection Program, but I also feel that the SmBLE is where the Master Distiller's skills really shine.  I would expect Mr. Elliott to make a number of safe choices in the next few years while he gets his legs under him.  When I met him awhile back (humble, friendly guy BTW), he said he was very invested in preserving the high standard Jim set for the regular expressions.  Personally I applaud that focus and look at it as a positive, but it could mean a boring few years as far as LEs go. 

I feel the same way in favoring the Small Batch LEs over the Single Barrels.  Of course, there is more to work with, and potential for really interesting things.  The SB's can be interesting too, but I don't think they had any interest in submitting "interesting" at this point in Elliott's tenure.  They played it safe with a comfortable offering that certainly won't offend many...except, with the price.

[grantsi]

On 6/23 my son was born - his name is Elliott. While I have been lucky enough to sample this bottle, I am actually trying to procure a bottle for the purpose of holding it until some celebratory event when he is a young adult - I've never bought a bottle for any reason but to enjoy right away, but am going to hoard this particular one. Keeping my eyes peeled but so far it has been tricky to find in Chicago.

Question to the board...how would one get a bottle signed by Elliott himself - I'd love to get it personalized. I'm assuming shipping a bottle to 4R is a nonstarter, however, would a day trip down there do the trick?

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[koRn]

For me, the thing that made it somewhat disappointing was the mouth feel. There just wasn't anything there. The taste profile is to my liking. Just felt very thin to me. 

 

 

[garbanzobean]

On 7/19/2016 at 11:03 AM, grantsi said:

On 6/23 my son was born - his name is Elliott. While I have been lucky enough to sample this bottle, I am actually trying to procure a bottle for the purpose of holding it until some celebratory event when he is a young adult - I've never bought a bottle for any reason but to enjoy right away, but am going to hoard this particular one. Keeping my eyes peeled but so far it has been tricky to find in Chicago.

Question to the board...how would one get a bottle signed by Elliott himself - I'd love to get it personalized. I'm assuming shipping a bottle to 4R is a nonstarter, however, would a day trip down there do the trick?

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Congrats on the little one!

 

He did a signing at a local liquor store, and would pretty much write anything you asked, and was willing to sign any Four Roses product, even old stuff.  Well, he wouldn't write "I promise to start making rye whiskey next year" or "Go Cards beat Cats!" on my bottle.  But pretty much anything not smart assed.  He even had the good grace to laugh at my requests, even though they weren't exactly prime time material.

 

So chances are if you can find a local appearance, you can at least get a bottle dedicated to your son.  May not be Elliott's Select though.

Edited August 1, 2016 by garbanzobean

[gtg1]

I opened my bottle yesterday with my dad for his birthday. I was roundly impressed with the barrel I got. Very complex and inviting on the nose, and the taste--including mouthfeel was splendid. First tried it neat, and at 56.4% it's very drinkable. I recommend not adding too much water as it loses something when it drops below what I perceive 50%.  I liked the fruit, the vanilla, oak, apricot and sweet spice. 

 

I think it's well worth the price and the hunt. 

[maybeling]

Finally got around to cracking mine open the other night. I'm somewhat fond of OESK and happened to have a few others around so I tried a 4 way side by side (not blind). I will have to echo the general sentiment already expressed. All 4 were obviously pretty close but I would have ranked it 2nd or 3rd. Maybe some air and time will improve it, but sadly IMHO the $ premium just doesn't seem warranted when compared directly with other OESK SBs.

 

I may try to loop in another palate or two and try again but blind. Um, for science.

Edited August 2, 2016 by maybeling

[flahute]

1 hour ago, maybeling said:

Finally got around to cracking mine open the other night. I'm somewhat fond of OESK and happened to have a few others around so I tried a 4 way side by side (not blind). I will have to echo the general sentiment already expressed. All 4 were obviously pretty close but I would have ranked it 2nd or 3rd. Maybe some air and time will improve it, but sadly IMHO the $ premium just doesn't seem warranted when compared directly with other OESK SBs.

 

I may try to loop in another palate or two and try again but blind. Um, for science.

I've heard others express this same opinion. They really like it, but don't see it as an obvious major step up from some PS barrels they've had or have.

I tasted it numerous times during the KBA week and would have purchased one if I had the chance, but it wasn't so much better than numerous PS bottles that I have so I didn't worry about missing out on a purchase.

[Louisiana]

Four Roses did an excellent job with this one. 14+ year old bourbon that is very enjoyable. The balance on this one is excellent. Don't forget that these are single barrels and they do vary!

[Josh]

I appreciate the reviews here, and I feel the same as many with regard to the chase, but if I see it I'll probably still buy it. I just can't not buy 4 Roses special releases.

[icarus625]

The Bourbon Gods were smiling upon me this week/weekend. I walked into a liquor store in Hockessin, DE and picked up a bottle of Elliott's Select. After reading some of the comments I am looking forward to opening this bottle one day. Earlier this week I was in London for work and walked into a Vintage House in Soho and found a bottle of 2015 Limited Edition (retail Price)...this edition being Jim Rutledge's last batch, I look forward to opening both bottles one night and comparing and enjoying Jim and Brent's contribution to my palette's continued learning and appreciation to the process.

[flahute]

1 hour ago, icarus625 said:

The Bourbon Gods were smiling upon me this week/weekend. I walked into a liquor store in Hockessin, DE and picked up a bottle of Elliott's Select. After reading some of the comments I am looking forward to opening this bottle one day. Earlier this week I was in London for work and walked into a Vintage House in Soho and found a bottle of 2015 Limited Edition (retail Price)...this edition being Jim Rutledge's last batch, I look forward to opening both bottles one night and comparing and enjoying Jim and Brent's contribution to my palette's continued learning and appreciation to the process.

I like Brent very much but the barrels that became Elliot's Select were set aside for a special purpose by Jim prior to his departure. I mean no disrespect to Brent because I've met him and spent some time speaking with him at length and believe he will do very good things. 

[icarus625]

19 hours ago, flahute said:

I like Brent very much but the barrels that became Elliot's Select were set aside for a special purpose by Jim prior to his departure. I mean no disrespect to Brent because I've met him and spent some time speaking with him at length and believe he will do very good things. 

Great intel, much appreciated.

[Bourbonmakesmepoop]

20 hours ago, flahute said:

I like Brent very much but the barrels that became Elliot's Select were set aside for a special purpose by Jim prior to his departure. I mean no disrespect to Brent because I've met him and spent some time speaking with him at length and believe he will do very good things. 

In all fairness, I would think (keep in mind I'm a rookie) that most if not all honey barrels would be earmarked by the master distiller at some point. So... what else is Brent supposed to choose from?

[flahute]

46 minutes ago, Bourbonmakesmepoop said:

In all fairness, I would think (keep in mind I'm a rookie) that most if not all honey barrels would be earmarked by the master distiller at some point. So... what else is Brent supposed to choose from?

Point is, these barrels had already been set aside by Jim for a purpose. It will be a while before we get single barrel selections that have Brent's fingerprints. Where we will see his imprint is this years LE Small Batch. It will be his call. Now to be clear, he was very much a part of previous editions of LE Small Batch as he was involved in creating the blends, but it was Jim who made the call that it was good or that he wanted this or that characteristic to be implemented. This year, it will be Brent's call. No pressure.

[Louisiana]

While finishing a bottle of the FR Elliot's Select tonight a few thoughts & questions came to me.

 

Can SB's vary a lot for the LE's or does FR select them based on a specific profile for them LE. After hearing reviews about how it was solid, but not special got me thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed every sip & thought it was a great bottle. Now this could do with my palate or maybe the bottle from that barrel was really good.

 

They are Single Barrels.

 

 

 

 

[jeffrey r]

Yes, they are single barrels, but the ES release is probably within a certain profile. Full disclosure, I have a bottle of ES that I have not yet opened. I also probably have about 5 FRPS open in different recipes.

For one, I think that the "standard" FRPS can be so good, that there is an expectation that the special releases should be that much better. Second, keep in mind that the ES is 14 years old, which is significantly older than most of the PS that most of us have. So this could really strike people as awesome, or it could strike people as too much time in the oak.

I suppose it could be that some of the barrels selected are not stellar, but I suspect that this is simply a mix of expectations, lack of availability, premium price, age (for better or worse), and the general solid nature of various FR offerings that are more readily available.

Just my .02 cents, and YMMV of course. I am really looking forward to opening mine.

[Richdel]

On 9/4/2016 at 10:00 PM, icarus625 said:

The Bourbon Gods were smiling upon me this week/weekend. I walked into a liquor store in Hockessin, DE and picked up a bottle of Elliott's Select. After reading some of the comments I am looking forward to opening this bottle one day. Earlier this week I was in London for work and walked into a Vintage House in Soho and found a bottle of 2015 Limited Edition (retail Price)...this edition being Jim Rutledge's last batch, I look forward to opening both bottles one night and comparing and enjoying Jim and Brent's contribution to my palette's continued learning and appreciation to the process.

Icarus, can you remember the name of the store in Hockessin DE where you found the Elliott's Select?  Only a short drive for me and I am wondering if they have any more bottles in stock. 

[icarus625]

15 hours ago, Richdel said:

Icarus, can you remember the name of the store in Hockessin DE where you found the Elliott's Select?  Only a short drive for me and I am wondering if they have any more bottles in stock. 

It was Tim's Liquor but unfortunately they only had one bottle but without question check:) Good luck.

[Richdel]

1 hour ago, icarus625 said:

It was Tim's Liquor but unfortunately they only had one bottle but without question check:) Good luck.

Thanks!  Will let you know what I find.