Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2017

108.3 proof. Barrel strength. Non-chill filtered. The 2017 Limited Edition Small Batch from Four Roses — a documented recipe combination of OBSV 13 Year, OBSK 16 Year, OESV 15 Year, and OESK 14 Year, assembled from the distillery's unique 10-recipe system.

Four Roses produces 10 distinct bourbon recipes — two mashbills (high-rye OBSB and low-rye OESB) crossed with five proprietary yeast strains (V, K, O, Q, F). Each combination produces a different flavor profile from the same Lawrenceburg distillery. The Annual Limited Edition Small Batch draws from a Master Distiller-selected subset of these recipes each year, with full transparency about which recipes and ages were chosen. No other American distillery offers this level of provenance documentation in its annual releases.

The 2017 recipe combination: OBSV at 13 years (high-rye, delicate fruit and cream yeast), OBSK at 16 years (high-rye, spicy full-bodied yeast), OESV at 15 years (low-rye, delicate fruit yeast), and OESK at 14 years (low-rye, spicy full-bodied yeast) — assembled at 108.3 proof, barrel strength, without chill filtration. This specific combination cannot be recreated; the 2017 LE is the documented record of what Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliott selected as the peak expression of the program that year.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Rich amber from the multi-year barrel selection.
• Nose: Rich dried fruit, honey, and baking spice — the V yeast strains contributing floral and fruit aromatics above the K strains' spice foundation.
• Palate: Layered and complex at 108.3 proof — the high-rye OB mashbill contributing spice and structure alongside the lower-rye OE's softness and fruit.
• Finish: Long and evolving — multiple recipe components expressing different facets through the finish.

Specs

• Distillery: Four Roses, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
• Recipes: OBSV 13yr + OBSK 16yr + OESV 15yr + OESK 14yr
• Proof: 108.3 (54.15% ABV)
• Bottling: Barrel strength, non-chill filtered
• Release: 2017 Limited Edition Small Batch
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Four Roses collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What do the recipe codes mean? Each Four Roses recipe is a four-letter code: O = Four Roses distillery, B or E = mashbill (B = high-rye 60/35/5 corn/rye/barley, E = low-rye 75/20/5), S = straight whiskey, and the final letter = yeast strain (V = delicate fruit and cream, K = spicy full-bodied, O = rich fruit, Q = floral essence, F = herbal). OBSV = high-rye mashbill, delicate-fruit yeast. OBSK = high-rye, spicy yeast. And so on.
• How does the 2017 compare to the 2016 and 2022 LEs? Each year uses a different recipe combination at its natural proof. The 2016 used OBSV 16yr + OBSK 14yr + OESV 16yr + OESK 13yr at 108.2 proof. The 2017 uses a slightly different age composition at 108.3 proof. Each is a unique, documented expression of the program in that year.
• Is the 2017 LE Small Batch still available? Yes — 2 units remaining. Limited availability through specialty retailers.
• Who is Brent Elliott? Brent Elliott is Four Roses' Master Distiller, succeeding the legendary Jim Rutledge who led the program for over two decades. Elliott oversees both the annual LE Small Batch selections and the ongoing production of all 10 Four Roses recipes.