A little background
Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch is the 19th installment in the distillery’s annual limited-edition bourbon series. The Kentucky straight bourbon is a barrel-strength, non-chill-filtered release bottled at 109.2 proof, with a suggested retail price of $249. Approximately 16,800 bottles are planned for distribution through select retailers nationwide and Four Roses Distillery Visitor Centers in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
For this edition, Four Roses combined four bourbon batches selected from its 10-recipe production system: a 14-year-old OBSK, 14-year-old OESK, 15-year-old OESV, and 23-year-old OESK. The resulting blend spans 14 to 23 years of age and draws from both of Four Roses’ mash bills, which the distillery pairs with five proprietary yeast strains to create its recipe lineup. Four Roses, established in 1888, maintains distilling operations in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and warehousing operations in Cox’s Creek.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)
Color
Dark Gold
| Nose | Taste | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Orange, banana, apricot, sweet coconut, caramel, vanilla, mint, nutmeg, and oak. | Brown sugar, caramel, cherry, cantaloupe, baked cinnamon apples, simple syrup, and oak. | Dusty mocha, mint, lime, continued bakes cinnamon apples, barrel char, dark caramel, and oak. |
In closing
Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch is an exceptional bourbon that rewards time and attention in the glass. The nose moves from bright, fruit-forward notes of orange, banana, and apricot into sweet coconut, caramel, vanilla, nutmeg, and mature oak. That range carries into a rich, composed palate where brown sugar and caramel frame cherry, cantaloupe, and baked cinnamon apples, with simple syrup sweetness and oak providing structure rather than taking over.
The finish is especially impressive, extending the baked-apple profile with dusty mocha, lime, barrel char, dark caramel, and lingering oak. It is a detailed, layered bourbon that remains cohesive from start to finish, with mature components adding depth without overwhelming the blend’s fruit and confectionary character. At $249, Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch is firmly positioned as a premium annual release, but the 14- to 23-year-old blend delivers the complexity, length, and overall quality needed to justify the price. This is a standout Four Roses release and an easy recommendation for anyone fortunate enough to come across a bottle.
NOTE: The sample used for this review was provided at no cost courtesy of Four Roses Distillery. We thank them for the sample and for allowing us to review it with no strings attached.
Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch
The Good
- Unique Profile
- Intense
- Buttery Richness
The Bad
- Super Limited
