Big news for bourbon fans - Four Roses is rolling out the second rotation of its Single Barrel Collection this May. It follows the first release, which set the tone for what this program is meant to be.
Now, before we get carried away, this is a US release first and foremost. What that means for us in Australia is the usual story: limited flow, staggered timing, and likely landing in small pockets rather than a clean, wide release. For us, it’s not as simple as a May shelf date. If it lands here, it’ll be in tight allocations, through the right channels, and likely not all at once.
What's the News on This Release?
These barrels sit in that 7–9 year range. A sweet spot for Four Roses. Enough age to build structure, depth and that signature fruit-forward spice, but not so old that it tips into over-oaked territory. This distillery has always been surgical with its barrel selection, and that’s where these releases earn their keep.
Why it matters (from our side of the world)
Single barrels are where a distillery shows its hand. No blending, no smoothing things out. Just one cask, one profile, exactly as it came out. With Four Roses’ ten-recipe system behind it, there’s real variation barrel to barrel, and that’s what makes these worth chasing when they land.
The first rotation didn’t flood Australia. This second run will be the same story no doubt. If we're lucky small numbers, quick movement, simply not enough to go around.
So yes, May is the headline - but for us, it’s more about when and how much makes it over. If you see it, don’t sit on it.
Source: Fred Minnick
