Four Roses Distillery is getting a little freaky. The iconic brand recently launched its new Experimental Series, a limited-edition series that pushes the boundaries of its traditional 10-recipe framework.
The series inaugural release, Experimental Series No. 001, is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Japanese Mizunara oak barrels. Prized in the whiskey world for its rarity and flavor contribution, Mizunara was selected based on flavor exploration. Throughout the finishing process, the Four Roses team monitored the barrels, pulling samples almost weekly to track maturation and determine the balance point for each barrel individually before blending.
“This series is an exciting new chapter for us”
“This series is an exciting new chapter for us,” says Four Roses Distillery Master Distiller Brent Elliott. “It allows us to take the craftsmanship that’s been at the heart of Four Roses and apply it in entirely new ways, experimenting with finishes and techniques that reveal dimensions of flavor our fans haven’t experienced before. For me, it’s about pushing boundaries while staying true to the character of Four Roses Bourbon, and giving our fans the chance to join us on that journey of discovery.”
Four Roses Experimental Series No. 001 was developed through extensive trials across recipes, yeast strains, barrel specifications, and toast and char combinations to identify the best pairing for Mizunara’s flavor profile. Elliott selected a six-year-old OBSK recipe for its ability to complement the oak’s spice characteristics while allowing its sweeter nuanced notes to shine.
The packaging for Experimental Series No. 001 reflects that same balance. The shape of the front label draws inspiration from the iconic Spanish Mission-style architecture of the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, while the reverse label reveals one of the brand’s historic single-story rickhouses.
Four Roses Experimental Series No. 001 is available for purchase at the Four Roses Distillery Visitor Center for $55.