Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition releases have become something of an annual pilgrimage for bourbon enthusiasts, and the 2016 bottling is one I've returned to several times over the years. At 55.6% ABV, this is a whisky that doesn't pull its punches — it arrives with the kind of cask-strength authority that demands your attention from the moment it hits the glass.
For those unfamiliar with the Limited Edition Small Batch programme, Four Roses selects a handful of their proprietary recipes — drawn from their unique combination of two mashbills and five yeast strains — and marries them into a single release. The result is typically a whisky of considerable depth and layering, and the 2016 edition is no exception. These annual bottlings have earned a devoted following for good reason: they represent the distillery's blending team at their most ambitious.
What to Expect
At this strength, you're dealing with a bourbon that rewards patience. I'd strongly recommend letting it sit in the glass for a good ten minutes before nosing — the alcohol needs time to settle, and what emerges once it does is invariably more expressive than what greets you on first pour. The Small Batch Limited Editions are known for delivering rich, full-bodied character with a complexity that unfolds over time. The 2016 release sits comfortably in that tradition: a whisky built for contemplation rather than casual sipping.
The cask-strength presentation is important here. At 55.6%, you're tasting something very close to what came out of the barrel, with minimal intervention between wood and glass. That directness is part of the appeal — there's an honesty to cask-strength bourbon that I find increasingly compelling in an era of over-filtered, over-processed spirits.
The Verdict
At £600, this is firmly in collector territory, and I won't pretend otherwise. The secondary market has been unkind to anyone arriving late to the Four Roses Limited Edition party, and the 2016 bottling has appreciated considerably since its original release. But if you're fortunate enough to find one at a reasonable price, or you're weighing it against other whiskies in this bracket, I think it justifies the investment. The quality of the liquid is genuinely exceptional — this isn't a case of scarcity driving price alone. Four Roses' mastery of their ten distinct recipes gives them a blending palette that few American distilleries can match, and the 2016 Limited Edition is a fine demonstration of that advantage.
I'm giving this an 8 out of 10. It's a seriously accomplished bourbon that delivers on its promise of complexity and depth. The only reason I hold back from a higher score is the price point, which puts it beyond reach for most drinkers who would appreciate it most. The whisky itself is outstanding.
Best Served
Neat, in a Glencairn or tulip glass, with time to breathe. If the proof feels assertive — and at 55.6% it may well do — add a few drops of room-temperature water. No more than a teaspoon. You'll open up the middle notes without drowning the structure. This is not a whisky for cocktails or ice. Give it the respect it's earned.
