Taters’ Four Roses 2021
photo by Matt Hakey
Many of you will know that this is not Taters’ “first” Four Roses pick. However, it is our first since graduating from a small, private group of enthusiasts to a legally formed nonprofit organization. It is also our first post-pandemic pick. While we got in just before the shutdown last year, this year came with restrictions, plastic cups and masks.
We were told that the pandemic required the suspension of tasting glasses on the spinning Lazy Als to reduce the spread of germs. Fortunately, we came prepared with our very own Taters’ Lazy Al to ensure a proper presentation and tasting experience. What self-respecting Tater doesn’t travel with their own Tater tasting wheel?
The Private Barrel Selection Manager - the incomparable Mandy Vance - rolled out an amazing selection of barrels for us this year. The selection was made difficult with heavy hitter recipes like OESO, OBSK and OESK. We even - gasp - passed on a 6th tier barrel. Indeed, one special bottle reigned supreme for the Taters.
This bottle is also special because the Taters’ brand has gone public. While prior endeavors allowed individual Taters to “bunker” our great bottles for ourselves, the charitable aspects of the organization’s mission far outweigh the “pains” of having to share the love among the masses! It is with great pride that this bottle has already helped Taters’ Launch Event raise $10K for the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.
So, without further ado we provide you with our not so objective review of our Taters OESV.
From the bottle to your glass the nose gives off some immediate notes of classic Four Roses “V” yeast strain.
The distiller describes it as “a Bourbon that’s not overly fruity, spicy, herbal or floral. Its light fruit flavors of pear and apricot balance nicely with corn and rye notes to achieve an elegant, nuanced Bourbon.” On this bottle we pick up notes of dried cherry and apple. However, it also shows every bit of its age (11+ years), mellowing out with a note of toasted char prevalent.
On the palate the semblance to its “sister” recipe OBSV is apparent. While the OBSV contains a higher rye content, this bottle also comes with a sharp rye spice punch that Four Roses enthusiasts have long embraced.
Interestingly, one of the more popular pours this year has been the Parker’s Heritage Heavy Char. While we certainly wouldn’t call this one “heavy” we do think that fans of a char note will appreciate the age of this bottle. While some bourbons tend to get “oaky” with age, the spices of this bottle mask any such oakiness leaving the classic fruity, spicy and somewhat smoky taste of Four Roses bliss.
At 122 proof, this bottle will certainly please the proof snobs of the world. But trust us, this bottle is at its best around 110 proof. A capful of water (about ½ teaspoon of spring water) in your 1 oz pour will allow the sugars and flavors to grasp onto the water and power through the ethanol bringing forth an ethereal experience. Plus, adding a ½ teaspoon of water to every pour gives you about 10% more to drink!
Pro tip for those lucky enough to get your paws on one of these bottles: Keep an eye out for Taters’ next event - Tater Your Own Bottle (TYOB). You’ll have a chance to prove your inner tater by pimping out your own bottle. We’ll just leave you with a final hint… Wax On!
One final note…
To say that it is a privilege to participate in the Four Roses Private Barrel Selection is an understatement. However, Taters would be remiss to not mourn the recent change by Four Roses and its distributors to eschew long-standing customers in favor of big box stores with massive sales to earn those allocations. We get it. Bourbon is booming right now. But Taters stand steadfast in support of our smaller taverns and retailers that form the underpinnings of the cult favorite, turned popular libation that is Four Roses. We look forward to the mom and pops of the world getting their share again.
