I reviewed the 2017 a long time ago but I am rereviewing it here alongside the 130th Anniversary and 2019 Limited Edition for the second to last part of my Four Roses series.
I was a big fan of the 2017 the first time I had it so I am hoping it lives up compared to these two. I’d also heard a lot of good things about the 2019 LE and my first taste was great. The 130th was strong too but I don’t think it was quite as good as the other two.
For this tasting I did another blind tasting video to pick a favorite and then sat down to write some more detailed notes.
Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition 2017
Age: 12-15 years
Abv: 108 proof
Neat
Nose: Sweet dark fruit, brown sugar, rich baking spice and oak notes.
Taste: More sweet fruit with cherry and something else(plum maybe? I need to eat more fruits…), more warm baking spice, brown sugar and a bit of oak that’s slightly tannic. Great mouthfeel.
Finish: Long and warm with more well balanced sweet, spice and oak notes.
Ranking: #3
9 - a favorite I always try to keep on my shelf
Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition 130th Anniversary
Age: 10-16 years
Abv: 108.4 proof
Neat
Nose: Sweet vanilla, grape or plum or some dark fruit that isn’t a cherry, rye spice and subtler oak notes
Taste: Sweet fruit, the same one from the nose, rich oak and baking spice. Also a great mouthfeel.
Finish: Long warm finish with vanilla, oak and warm spice
Ranking: #2
3 Stars - Excellent whiskey: I would be willing to hunt down a bottle
Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition 2019
Age: 11-21 years
Abv: 112.6 proof
Neat
Nose: Potent but inviting with caramel, dark cherry and rich oak.
Taste: A medley of sweet fruit, che and warm spice notes with some oak and vanilla as well. The best mouthfeel of the bunch
Finish: Medium to long with more sweet fruit, vanilla and warm spice.
Ranking: #1
4 Stars - Extraordinary whiskey: An all time favorite
Conclusion
These were all fantastic but the 2019 was a cut above. I managed to come up with some minor grips with each one. The oak was a touch too tannic on the ‘17, the finish was just ‘good’ on the ‘19 and I couldn’t figure out what the fruit was on the ‘18. That said those were all minor and I really had to reach to get there.
Unfortunately I didn’t get my hands on the ‘19 until I was already mostly done writing my 2019 Whiskey Awards as it would have been a serious contender for the top spot. I am working on getting a backup bottle so here’s hoping.
I am very excited for the final round doing a blind with the 2019 LE and some of my favorite picks from the series!
TL;DR: I need to eat more fruits, the 2019 stands out but they are all fantastic
Scale
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