Four Roses has been crafting award-winning bourbon since 1888. So, it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about releasing memorable whiskeys. Recently, the brand announced one of its most creative releases ever: Experimental Series No. 003: Chestnut.
Four Roses Experimental Series No. 003: Chestnut
The third release in the brand’s Experimental Series (after Mizunara and honey-seasoned barrel releases), this new expression is all about the wood, specifically chestnut wood. This uncommon wood finishing adds completely new aromas and flavors to the iconic bourbon’s palate, building on the brand’s 10-recipe foundation.
This release specifically tests how the flavors of its six-year-old OBSK recipe are affected by aging in 250-liter chestnut barrels made from wood grown in Japan. To create this unique expression, the distillery transfers fully mature bourbon to a combination of chestnut barrels with different toast and char levels. Finishing times ranged from 5 to 11 weeks, depending on the barrel.
According to Four Roses, the result is an innovative, memorable 104 proof bourbon that begins with a nose of dried apricots and toasted vanilla beans. The palate features vanilla beans, orchard fruits, dried cherries, toasted wood, and baking spices. The finish is long and warm, ending with a combination of dried fruits and brown sugar.
“To me, what makes this release so interesting is how chestnut wood can enhance and highlight the flavors of a bourbon,” Master Distiller Brent Elliott says. “
We explored several different wood types in our initial trials, and chestnut stood out for the unique character it brought to the spirit. The OBSK recipe had the complexity and spice we were looking for to complement those flavors, creating a bourbon that feels familiar in its foundation but offers new, distinct flavors in the glass.”
Where can I buy it?
Experimental Series No. 003: Chestnut will be available at the Four Roses Visitor Centers in Lawrenceburg and Cox’s Creek beginning on November 20 for the suggested retail price of $55 for a 375ml bottle. For more information about Four Roses Distillery, the Experimental Series, and all of the bourbons in the brand’s portfolio, please visit www.fourrosesbourbon.com.
