Four Roses Distillery has launched the latest addition to its Experimental Series with No. 003: Chestnut, which uses chestnut wood to reveal how uncommon wood finishes can add new dimensions to Four Roses’ signature flavour profile.
Each limited release in the ‘Experimental Series’ builds on the distillery’s distinctive 10-recipe foundation, balancing experimentation with its longstanding commitment to craftsmanship. The release began with trials exploring how different wood species interacted with Four Roses’ ten bourbon recipes.
Chestnut quickly distinguished itself, said the distillery, contributing subtle, distinctive flavours that prompted the distillery to expand its experimentation.
Four Roses ultimately selected its six-year-old OBSK recipe for the final expression, pairing its signature spice and complexity with the sweet, rounded flavors developed in 250-liter chestnut barrels made from wood grown in Japan.
“To me, what makes this release so interesting is how chestnut wood can enhance and highlight the flavours of a bourbon,” said master distiller Brent Elliott.
“We explored a number of different wood types in our initial trials, and chestnut stood out for the unique character it brought to the spirit. The OBSK recipe had the complexity and spice we were looking for to complement those flavours, creating a bourbon that feels familiar in its foundation but offers new, distinct flavorus in the glass.”
To create Experimental Series No. 003, mature bourbon was transferred into chestnut barrels featuring a range of toast and char levels. Each barrel was sampled frequently throughout the finishing process and emptied individually once it reached its desired flavor profile, with finishing times ranging from five to eleven weeks.
This barrel-by-barrel approach allowed the distillery to carefully capture the distinctive character of the chestnut wood while maintaining the balance of the underlying bourbon.
Bottled at 104 proof (52% ABV), Experimental Series No. 003: Chestnut opens with aromas of rich apricot and soft vanilla. The palate is rounded and creamy, with notes of vanilla bean, pear and ripe cherry complemented by sweet, toasted wood and hints of baking spice.
The finish is rich and lingering, with the taste of delicate fruit and brown sugar.
