Fans of Four Roses bourbons have long known about the Kentucky distiller’s process of using different recipes and yeast strains to influence flavor.
But, unless they were lucky enough to be at a special tasting, they couldn’t taste the 10 different base recipes ... until now.
In honor of the 135th anniversary of the Lawrenceburg bourbon maker, Four Roses is releasing a special sampler, the Ten Recipe Tasting Experience. The kit’s release comes as Four Roses bourbon is updating its look with new labels.
The kit includes 10 50ml bottles of each recipe so bourbon enthusiasts can get a pure taste of what the bourbons start out like before master distiller Brent Elliott selects and blends them to create special releases.
There’s a QR code on each box that takes you to a guided tasting video with Elliott for a more immersive experience.
How to buy Four Roses Ten Recipe Tasting Experience kit
The limited edition kit is available for purchase at the Four Roses Visitor Centers in Lawrenceburg and Coxs Creek for a suggested retail price of $129.99. They will be available to buy at select retailer stores in Kentucky, Georgia, Illinois and California beginning in mid-July.
Four Roses uses two different mashbills (one more rye focused than the other) and five proprietary yeast strains, coupled with the variations produced by aging, to create “endless complexity,” according to the company.
The different yeast strains deliver flavors varying from delicate fruit (V strain), slight spice (K strain), rich fruit (O strain), floral essence (Q strain) and herbal notes (F strain.)
Those familiar with Four Roses’ whiskeys know to look for the recipe make up on bottles. For instance, OESV would indicate that the bourbon was made at Four Roses using the “E” mashbill with more corn and less rye, and using the “V” yeast strain.
So you can have a little fun, playing master blender at home as you taste and compare the different versions of Four Roses bourbon.
