LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Four Roses is reaching deep into its aging whiskey stocks for the 2026 edition of one of the distillery’s most anticipated annual releases.
Four Roses Distillery has announced its 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon, a barrel-strength blend featuring four batches of bourbon ranging from 14 to an impressive 23 years old.
The 19th edition of the annual Limited Edition Small Batch will be released Oct. 10 at the Four Roses Distillery Visitor Centers in Kentucky and at select retailers nationwide.
Bottled at 109.2 proof and non-chill filtered, the 2026 release combines three of Four Roses’ 10 distinct bourbon recipes across four batches:
- 14-year-old OBSK
- 14-year-old OESK
- 15-year-old OESV
- 23-year-old OESK
That 23-year-old OESK component immediately makes the 2026 release stand out, particularly at a time when bourbons carrying two decades or more of maturation remain relatively uncommon.
“This has been an incredibly exciting year for Four Roses as we’ve explored new frontiers and introduced releases unlike anything we’ve done before,” said Brent Elliott, Four Roses master distiller.
“Limited Edition Small Batch gives us a chance to return to a tradition we look forward to every year and celebrate the blending and craftsmanship at the heart of Four Roses,” Elliott said. “This year’s release brings together four exceptional batches, each over a decade in age, showcasing just how much depth and character we can create from the recipes that make Four Roses so unique.”
Four Roses’ distinctive production system gives Elliott an unusually broad palette from which to create the annual release.
The distillery produces 10 bourbon recipes by combining two mash bills with five proprietary yeast strains. Those recipes mature independently before selected barrels can be blended to create different Four Roses expressions.
For the 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch, the inclusion of two different OESK age statements — 14 and 23 years — provides an opportunity to showcase how the same Four Roses recipe can develop across significantly different maturation periods.
The OBSK component also uses the “K” yeast strain but is built around Four Roses’ higher-rye “B” mash bill, while the 15-year-old OESV introduces the “V” yeast strain into the final blend.
According to Four Roses, the finished bourbon opens with aromas of apricot and light oak.
The palate brings baking spice, honey and delicate wood tones before transitioning into a lingering finish of fruit, vanilla and caramel. The distillery says the older whiskey contributes integrated oak and complexity without overwhelming Four Roses’ signature mellow spice.
Masterfully blending whiskey of this age can be a balancing act. Extended barrel maturation can create tremendous concentration and complexity, but older bourbon also carries the risk of becoming dominated by oak and tannins.
For the 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch, Elliott has paired the 23-year-old whiskey with three younger — though still considerably mature — batches aged 14 and 15 years.
Four Roses plans to release approximately 16,800 bottles of the 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch.
The bourbon carries a suggested retail price of $249 per 750-milliliter bottle.
It will officially arrive Oct. 10 at select retailers nationwide and at the Four Roses Distillery Visitor Centers in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, while supplies last.
Given the annual release’s following among Four Roses enthusiasts and bourbon collectors, finding a bottle at its suggested retail price will likely be considerably more challenging than the production number might suggest.
The combination of a 23-year-old component, barrel-strength presentation and Four Roses’ distinctive recipe blending system gives the 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch plenty to attract both collectors and drinkers.
And while the 23-year-old OESK will undoubtedly grab much of the attention, the real test will be how Elliott has balanced that exceptionally mature bourbon with the three 14- and 15-year-old components.
On paper, the 2026 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch has the makings of one of the more intriguing major Kentucky bourbon releases of the fall.
About Four Roses Distillery
Established in 1888, Four Roses combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to distill and age 10 distinct bourbon recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile. With distilling and warehousing operations in Lawrenceburg and Cox’s Creek, Kentucky, respectively, Four Roses is available nationally. Four Roses has a long tradition of earning widespread recognition across respected spirits competitions, receiving numerous top‑tier honors that underscore the quality and craftsmanship of its super-premium bourbon portfolio. Among these accolades, Four Roses was also named World’s Best Single Barrel at the World Whiskies Awards, further cementing its place among the world’s most celebrated bourbon producers. For more information, visit www.fourrosesbourbon.com.
