Release Radar: Four Roses Anthology Series Chapter 1

Four Roses has announced the launch of its new Anthology series, beginning with Chapter 1: Origin, a 21-year-old barrel strength Kentucky bourbon that represents the distillery's oldest single-aged expression to date. 

The Anthology Series Concept 

The new series will chronicle the history and heritage of Four Roses through limited releases. Chapter 1: Origin kicks off the collection by referencing the brand's founding story, when Paul Jones Jr.'s proposal was accepted by his Southern belle, who wore a corsage of four red roses to signal her "yes." 

Age Statement Significance 

While Four Roses has previously released blends containing older components – including a 25-year-old bourbon in their 135th Anniversary Edition and a 21-year component in their 2019 Limited Edition Small Batch – this marks the first time they've released a straight 21-year age statement. This guarantees that every drop in the bottle has aged for at least 21 years, distinguishing it from previous releases that mixed various age components. 

Technical Specifications 

The bourbon features Four Roses' OESO recipe, combining: 

• Mashbill E: 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% barley 
• Yeast O: Known for producing fruity red berry notes with medium body 

Distilled in 2001, the whiskey will be bottled at barrel strength, with an indicative 100 proof (50% ABV). The release is planned for 2026. 

Availability 

Production is limited to 400 bottles, making this a highly restricted release. The combination of limited quantity, record age statement, and historical significance positions this as a notable addition to Four Roses' premium offerings. 

Market Context This release continues Four Roses' trend of producing aged limited editions, though it marks their most ambitious age statement for a single-aged expression. The barrel strength bottling preserves the whiskey's natural characteristics after more than two decades of maturation. 

The Anthology series appears designed to explore different aspects of Four Roses' history through future releases, with Chapter 1: Origin establishing the foundation for what could become an ongoing collection of historically-themed bourbon releases.