Four Roses 2017 Al Young 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon

The Ultimate Tribute to a Bourbon Legend

For true whiskey enthusiasts, certain bottles transcend the category of mere spirits and become liquid history. The Four Roses 2017 Al Young 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch is precisely that—an absolute masterpiece. Released to honor the late Al Young’s monumental 50-year legacy as Four Roses’ Senior Brand Ambassador and resident historian, this bottle is a cornerstone of any elite whiskey collection.

Crafted in collaboration with Master Distiller Brent Elliott, this rare expression is a sensational showcase of the distillery’s unique blending prowess. It isn’t just an ordinary small batch; it is a meticulously engineered, barrel-strength time capsule that captures the absolute peak of Kentucky straight bourbon craftsmanship.

A Masterful Blend of Four Iconic Recipes

Four Roses is world-renowned for its ten distinct bourbon recipes, created by pairing two unique mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains. For this historic 2017 limited release, Al Young hand-selected four specific component barrels, featuring highly matured liquids that are rarely allowed to age to these extremes:

• 5% OBSV (23 Years Old): Brings an extraordinary, deep layer of delicate fruit, mature antique oak, and smooth creamy vanilla.

• 25% OBSK (15 Years Old): Infuses a robust backbone of rich rye spice and warm baking notes.

• 50% OESV (13 Years Old): Forms the luscious heart of the blend, adding sweet caramel, bright orchard fruits, and a velvety mouthfeel.

• 20% OBSF (12 Years Old): Caps off the profile with a bright pop of herbal complexity and signature mint.

With liquid aged between 12 and 23 years, this expression hits the palate with an unparalleled harmony of maturity and vitality. Bottled at a robust cask strength of 107.6 proof (53.8% ABV), it delivers a pure, unadulterated tasting experience exactly as it tasted straight out of the charred oak barrels.

Definitive Tasting Notes

The Pour and Visuals

In the glass, this bourbon displays a deep, radiant copper and medium rust hue. Its rich, oily legs cling elegantly to the sides of the glass, hinting at the decadent texture waiting to unfold.

The Nose

The sensory journey begins with an incredibly complex aroma. Sweet notes of rich caramel, toffee, and warm vanilla bean mingle gracefully with bright magnolia and floral honeysuckle blossoms. As the bouquet opens up, hints of overripe orchard apples, dark dates, and a whisper of fresh spearmint emerge against a backdrop of well-aged oak.

The Palate

From the very first sip, the mouthfeel is extraordinarily luxurious and oily, with almost zero proof sting. Waves of fresh peaches, ripe apricots, and sweet raspberries coat the tongue, closely followed by brown sugar butter and maple syrup over buttermilk pancakes. Mid-palate, the complexity deepens into warm fig, fine tobacco, and a gorgeous array of baking spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove.

The Finish

The finish is remarkably long, smooth, and evolving. It starts with a sweet, fruit-forward warmth that slowly and beautifully dries out, leaving behind complex notes of tannic oak, Christmas spice, and a crisp, lingering hint of fresh mint.

A Legendary Collector’s Trophy

The liquid isn’t the only thing honoring heritage. The bottle itself features an iconic, retro design inspired by the classic 1967 Four Roses bottle shape—the exact year Al Young first started his journey with the company.

With only 10,000 bottles ever filled globally in 2017, allocations vanished from shelves instantly upon release. Today, finding a pristine bottle of this highly decorated, critically acclaimed Four Roses 2017 Al Young 50th Anniversary edition is an exceedingly rare opportunity. Whether you are looking to mark a monumental milestone, anchor your top-shelf display, or savor the absolute best of what Kentucky bourbon can offer, this bottle stands alone.