Four Roses K&L Exclusive OESK (9 years) Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon (750ml)

The second in a string of casks we purchased directly from Four Roses distillery in Kentucky this past Fall, this nine year old OESK formula Bourbon is one of the creamier whiskies we've tasted from the producer in some time. The nose is a continuous stream of pencil shavings, black pepper, and oak, but that spice turns into a warm and expansive wave of full-bodiedness with herbaceous flavors carrying through the undertow. This is an incredibly oaky Bourbon; "oak" in the sense of freshly cut wood and foresty notes, rather than toasted vanilla or creme brulee flavors we typically think off. It's also quite peppery, but something about all that creaminess prevents the whiskey from ever drying out on the palate. It's a whiskey that seem to glide over the tongue with weight, while simultaneously stimulating it with intense doses of pepperiness. In the wine world, we might call that the balance between fruit and acidity. In the case of this Bourbon, however, it's a perfect yin and yang: texture combining with spice to create absolute pleasure. Only 140 bottles available.