2025 Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition Bourbon: A Collaborative Review with Four Roses Superfan Kyle Ganrude

“Consistency is always the best teacher.”

 - Stephon Marbury

I remember the day I got my first bottle of Four Roses Limited Edition. This bourbon release wasn't really on my radar from 2018 through 2020, but I finally had my interest piqued during the 2021 winter raffle at Liquor Junction in MA. I put in plenty of entries, having been a devout supporter of Liquor Junction's single barrel program for quite some time, and I was lucky to have my name pulled several times. The 2021 Four Roses Limited Edition small batch barrel strength bourbon was at the top of my list. I opened it right away, before I could even snap a picture for my Instagram page, pulled out a pen and a notebook, and set to furiously scribbling down the notes that would eventually become my full review for AmongstTheWhiskey.com.

On Christmas Eve of that same year, I sat down with my dad, a pour for each of us in hand, sifting through dozens of old photographs, reminiscing, sipping, and laughing about stories I had never heard before. Four Roses has elevated so many special moments for me and my dad since that day, which I will be eternally grateful for. After the magic of that moment, I have dutifully sought—and bought—every release since.

When news of the imminent release of the 2025 Limited Edition was dropping, perhaps nobody was more excited for this release than Four Roses superfan Kyle Ganrude, the thoughtful taster behind the @moonlightrickhouse handle on Instagram. While I scoured Massachusetts for a bottle, I was in Kyle's DMs, probing for excitement levels and any insider knowledge he might have on how to score an early bottle here, in Kyle's home state of Minnesota, or perhaps even at a favored destination in Kentucky. Without one in hand for either of us, I challenged him to join me on a collaborative review when we did finally end up scoring one. With a deep love and knowledge for Four Roses, he willingly accepted—perhaps without knowing the true verbosity required to fill the pages of an Amongst the Whiskey article. Kyle and I had similar arcs from other spirits into bourbon, and after hearing his story through a series of interview questions I posed to him, I'm even more impressed by his commitment to elevating the conversations about American whiskey on social media today. With a Four Roses collection like this, I could think of nobody more qualified to help evaluate this year's Limited Edition release. Ready to learn a bit more about the man behind the page?

Tell me about your whiskey journey; why is Four Roses so important to you?

"Back in the mid-2000s I wasn’t drinking bourbon; I was drinking Captain Morgan and Crown Royal. The two higher-end Crown Royal products I loved the most were Cask 16 and the original release of XR Waterloo. Those were the first two whiskeys I ever drank neat. And both whiskeys had me searching for rarer bottles of Crown, including tax stamp bottles dating back to the 1950s.

Back then my only foray into bourbon was Maker’s Mark. I wasn’t a fan. I bought a Blanton’s in 2010 and thought it was good, but it didn’t capture me like I thought it would. Fast forward 8 years, a friend gave me a sample of an NCF store pick of Weller Antique—I was blown away. It was bourbon from here on out.

Not long after that, a friend had me try my first Four Roses Barrel Strength Single Barrel. I was intrigued by the different recipes, the single barrels all at barrel strength, and the nerdiness of the warehouse codes. I was hooked. Since then, I’ve steadily grown my collection of unique Four Roses single barrels. I’ve found other people who care deeply about the brand and have built so many great friendships along the way.

Although I have been part of groups on Facebook for years, I had not dipped my toes into Instagram until 2023. With Four Roses being my favorite distillery, starting the Moonlight Rickhouse page was easy. I’m already drinking all these amazing barrels, sharing with my friends, and talking about them together, but I noticed not as many people were talking about them online. I saw a need, and I’ve loved connecting with so many people over Four Roses since then."

What misconception in the whiskey world would you like to clear up?

1. Price doesn’t equal flavor. Just because something is expensive doesn't mean it's good.
   

2. Create your own path. Try a wide variety of bourbon, drink samples. It takes a long time to figure out what you truly enjoy, and your palate may change over time.
   

3. Comparison is the thief of joy. Enjoy what you have regardless of the size of your collection.
   

4. Bottles are meant to be opened!

What makes Four Roses so consistently great?

"One of the most intriguing things about Four Roses is their two mash bills (20% rye vs 35% rye) and five yeast strains, creating 10 unique recipes. This can be a confusing barrier to entry for the average whiskey drinker looking to explore barrel strength bourbons. One bourbon drinker may try one barrel and decide Four Roses is not for them. While another person may try one barrel and decide they love it, diving right in to explore more. I’m clearly the latter. The whole idea behind my page is to share my love of Four Roses and show that there is greatness in every recipe and tier."

"Arguably the most unique part of Four Roses is the fact that they have single story rickhouses. Each warehouse is only six barrels high. Tier one near the floor and tier six near the roof. This adds to a more consistent product because the temperature does not vary as much compared to the larger multi-story rickhouses at other distilleries. It’s a distinctive feature that contributes greatly to the overall consistency at Four Roses."

How are single barrel expressions different than blends?

"I wasn’t planning on getting into the single barrel private selections in this article, but since you asked, there are plenty of Four Roses private selections that I would put up against the best of the best. If you follow my page, it's easy to see my preference is barrel strength single barrels. There’s something special about how a barrel can live in one location for roughly ten years, be dumped into a glass bottle at barrel strength without chill filtration, and you can pour it at home essentially straight from the barrel. The nuances you get from a Four Roses single barrel are incredible."

Kyle is the Four Roses guru in my book, and I actually love that he typically prefers single barrels over the hyper-aged blends; I think that sets him up to have the same brutal honesty that I do when I write reviews. I also appreciate his willingness to share his perspective. When I asked for one misconception he wanted to correct, he offered four really poignant perspectives instead! That's the kind of long-winded whiskey rant that I adore. It's clear to me that there is a lot of passion behind the @moonlightrickhouse page. We both tasted this release completely separately, without having discussed quality, tasting notes, or thoughts prior to this interview. For this collaborative review, I have included both of our tasting notes below. You'll find Kyle's notes in a slightly different color as we go through this. I'll have a few more big questions for Kyle in the outro, but for now... on with the tasting!

Company on Label: Distilled and aged by Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Whiskey Type: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey

Mash Bill Percentages: A blend of both B and E mash bills:

38% 13 year OBSV

17% 13 year OBSK

35% 13 year OESV

10% 19 year OESV

Derived mash bill: 66.75% corn, 28.25% rye, and 5% malted barley

Proof: 109°

Age: 13 years (a blend of 90% 13 year and 10% 19 year barrels, resulting in an average age of 13.6 years)

MSRP: $250

Further identification: The 2025 Limited Edition first released on September 3rd

Nose: On first lifting the glass to my nose, I find a quintessential, classic bourbon—not a knock or a cop-out on notes just yet; it's just one of those whiskeys you feel like you already know right from the get-go. Another whiff and plumcot comes through clear as day, followed quickly by apple pie, warm out of the oven with a dash of cinnamon on top. Wow, deep inhales produce such a clear medley of clove, allspice, and earthy paprika. The earthiness continues on subsequent sniffs, revealing cumin and turmeric aromas that have me feeling warm and at home with this glass; the sum of the spices elucidates a warm cup of winter spice tea. Cradling my glencairn in my hands to impart a bloom of warmth, I find the apple pie aroma remaining most clear to my senses. Plunging my nose as deep into my glass as it will go, I discover the distinct muskiness of an autumnal forest floor covered in leaves gripped by sweet decay. Hints of macerated cherry, pear, and soft honeysuckle play a supporting role in this easy-to-nose bourbon. Swirling the glass in an attempt to elicit a transformation reveals little extravagance. The typical wood spice of a double-digit bourbon is nowhere to be found in this glass, even with aggravation, which is quite rare.

Kyle's notes: Old rick house, French toast, vanilla, oak, honey, cinnamon, and tres leches—phenomenal.

After a sip, bold molasses cookie aromas unfold, leaving me in simple, glorious wonder. Some orange tones waft through like a distant memory blown in by the sea. Late in the glass I find sweet apple strudel covered in confectioners' sugar alongside a dusty aroma I rarely come by in modern bourbon. The empty glass smells of oolong tea and graham cracker.

Palate: I find my tongue delighted by the warm greeting of my first sip of the day. I leave the tiny taste on my tongue for 15 seconds or so before swallowing. Caramel corn, caramelized peach, and molasses cream cookies are an incredible array of flavors delivered at just the right proof, volume, and texture. Another chewy sip reveals pistachio ice cream and a kiss of fresh mint. This is a sweet tooth's delight, though balanced well by the more earthy undertones that continue to support the structure and integrity of this well put together whiskey. As I explore further into the glass, I discover even more evolution in this whiskey. There's a bit of a red wine characteristic to it at times, which reminds me of a semi-sweet Crianza tempranillo. Sipping further, orange creamsicle is now the star of the show, screaming off the ice cream truck popsicle stick onto my eager taste buds. The pine in the air is no match for a sweetness such as this, leaving my tongue saturated and thoroughly satisfied. As the orange fades, the vanilla remains, bringing with it subtle nutty undertones of roasted walnut and pecan with a touch of salt. My last sip is a bittersweet farewell to this impressive array of fruit and dessert before the finish carries on for an impressive length of syrupy cranberry sauce.

Kyle's notes: Rich, coating, fruit, oak, vanilla frosting, and a vintage character that finishes medium-long with lingering cinnamon and rye spice.

TL;DR: At the perfect barrel proof and booming with sweetness, this is an impressive feat of blending

Rating: 4.5/5

Really good. I want one of these on my shelf.

Kyle and I agreed perfectly on this one, both giving it a 4.5 on the Amongst the Whiskey rating scale. This is a delectable whiskey that I am sure Brent Elliott is going to be delighted with as his tenured legacy continues to develop. This is quintessential bourbon in my book—but it's not a comparison whiskey. It's not built for flights or the vibrant hum of the content-first creators. This is the bourbon for the patient and the proud—for those who taste with purpose. If any of that sounds like you, I hope you feel like you've found your home here. Now I have a few more questions for Mr. Moonlight, so stick with me, my dear reader.

What are your thoughts on the quality of this year's Limited Edition release?

"The 2025 small batch limited edition is a great bourbon. It’s comprised mostly of my two favorite recipes—OESV and OBSK—so I knew I would enjoy it solely based off the recipes in the blend; however, this year’s limited edition completely exceeded my expectations."

Who deserves most of the credit for the 2025 Limited Edition release, given the whiskey was distilled between 2006 and 2012?

"When talking about Four Roses, you absolutely have to mention Jim Rutledge. He helped bring the brand back to the United States market, introduced single barrel, among many other impressive achievements. He is a legend in the industry.

The distillate for this release was created under Rutledge’s tenure as Master Distiller, so you certainly need to credit him as part of this. However, current Master Distiller Brent Elliott has been with Four Roses for 20 years, in roles ranging from production to blending and also quality.

Brent has been Master Distiller at Four Roses for 10 years now, and there is no denying it’s his blend. His attention to detail and quality—carefully tasting, analyzing, and studying different runs of barrels that ultimately created a truly excellent blend."

Where would you rank this Limited Edition release versus the last 5 years?

Kyle was a great sport through this, and I really appreciate him taking the time to offer a synergistic perspective to this review. If you're a Four Roses fan and not already a follower, what the heck are you waiting for? If you want a little more context, check out some of the previous Limited Edition releases that I have on my shelf for comparison in the YouTube video below.

WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON

With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com, and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.