The 2018 edition of the Limited Edition Small Batch from Four Roses marks the distillery’s 130th anniversary, and Master Distiller Brent Elliott selected four different recipes to blend: a 16-year-old OESK, 14-year-old OESV, 13-year-old OBSF, and a 10-year-old OBSV. It’s a combination of four different yeast types (the final letter) and the two basic high-rye and low-rye mashbills.

The nose has a good balance of sweetness and spice, with honey, caramel, toasted oak, allspice, and a hint of butterscotch. The taste is light and fruity at first with notes of red apples and peaches, followed by a burst of black pepper and allspice with touches of honey and butterscotch in the background. The finish is long and dry with dried fruits, honey, and a hint of spice. Excellent! (September, 2018)