2020 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon Review

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch release is each Fall, normally in September, and is the distillery’s premium yearly offering. The 2020 is 55.7% (111.4 proof) which is on the higher end of proofs for this special release. Master Distiller Brent Elliott has blended four of the ten Four Roses unique recipes in this years vintage. The breakdown of the recipes, ages and percentages in the 2020 Four Roses Limited Edition are as follows. If you are interested in other years of the check out my list of Limited Edition Small Batch Percentages and Ratios.

2020 55.7%, 14,040 bottles released in the US
12-year old OBSV 30%
12-year old OESV 25%
16-year old OESK 25%
19-year old OBSK 20%

The V and K yeast strains are stars of the 2020 Four Roses Limited Edition release with equal proportions of the B (35% rye, 60% corn, 5% malted barley) and E (20% rye, 75% corn, 5% malted barley) mash bills. The V yeast strain provides notes of light fruit and the K yeast strain adds aromas and flavors of baking spices. This years Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch has an MSRP of $150 with 14,040 total bottles released in the US market. Last year’s 2019 edition was a Four Roses fan favorite and one of the best in recent years. How will the 2020 compare? Here we go!

2020 Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition

Color – Light copper

Aroma – Soft vanilla notes with light oak, hints of crisp apple

Taste – Rye spice hits hard, probably a combination of the B mash bill and K yeast. Notes of cinnamon linger on the palate (from the K yeast), oak is also prominent, great mouthfeel this bourbon is smooth as silk showing the advanced age with the four different recipes in this small batch.

Finish – Medium lasting finish, the rye spice lingers in the palate but you don’t get the full Kentucky hug.

Rating – 8.7/10

Following the 2019 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch is a hard task to follow. I enjoyed the 2020 vintage a lot but not as much as 2019. This bottle drank its proof even being a middle of the road 111.4 proof. The flavor and mouthfeel are great but the alcohol was a little too prominent. The V and K yeasts are some of my favorites but 50% of the blend is comprised of 12 year bourbon which to me I am not enthusiastic about. I did enjoy this bottle but not as much as some of the previous years. It is an outstanding bourbon but leaves me wanting more. Great flavor but this bourbon drinks its proof, which isn’t great considering it is only 55.7%.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect