New Four Roses “Mariage” Collection
September 10th, 2008I was speaking with Jim Rutledge, Four Roses’s Master Distiller, yesterday and asked him if he has anything new coming out this fall. And, of course, he does. Ever since the new owners let the Four Roses tiger out of the cage a few years back, they have been releasing some wonderful whiskeys.
The new whiskey will be part of their new Mariage Collection. Here’s the explanation, straight from Jim himself:
We will release a limited edition Small Batch this month. We will do this annually and this year it is called Mariage - 2008 collection. (Mariage is the French spelling of marriage, and is most often seen in the beverage alcohol business describing the marriage of various wines.) This year we will use two of our ten recipes - one 10 years old and the other 13 years age. Next year we may use two recipes again, or four, or five…. Every year it will be a totally different flavor Bourbon - via formula design. With ten distinctive recipes and combining them in different combinations, different percentages and varying ages we have an infinite number of product flavors we can use for Mariage. I’m really excited about this idea, because over the years we can show the versatility in Bourbon products/flavors that only we can do - Uniquely Four Roses.
So, there you have it. He’s sending me a review sample. When I get it, I’ll let you know what I think.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Another creative idea from 4R! Since I seem to be hung up on the subject lately, any idea what the price will be, John? I have been consistently pleased with Four Roses’ quality and affordability since they “let that tiger out of the cage a few years back.” Looking forward to this experience!
September 11th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I didn’t ask, but I don’t expect the price to be out of the ordinary. (Let’s hope not, anyway.)
September 25th, 2008 at 1:43 am
It’s in my glass right now. Very nice. A touch sweeter than my normal drinks. Light nose, pleasant but a bit alcoholish. Can’t give all the tasing notes right now since I’m having some chips as an accompanyment. Based on the dram earlier this evening, I’ll give it an 8.5 out of 10. (My absolute 10 being the 16yo A.H.Hirsh.) I think I paid $64 for it at Liquor Barn on Man O’ War in Lexington, KY. One of my favourite aspects of the Mariage is the hefty stopper. Geez, milled from a billet of aluminium??? Not quite, but a keeper none the less. This year’s 15yo Pappy Van Winkle - of similar strength - which, by the by, gets ex-catholic nuns drunk rather proficiently, is ultimatly a more satisfying bourbon. But that’s about $30 more. Bottoms Up!
September 25th, 2008 at 8:05 am
Scotty, I tasted the Mariage again last night (for the second time) and my opinion is similar to yours. It’s rather sweet and fruity, but very soft and elegant. A very enjoyable, if tame, Four Roses.
September 25th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Scotty, I will be posting my review of this whiskey in the very near future and will have more information on it at that time.