{"product_id":"four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023","title":"Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon (2023 Release - 700 mL)","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.mw-master-container{\n  --mw-accent: #b6672b;   \/* metallic copper foil accent *\/\n  --mw-glow:   #63205a;   \/* imperial velvet plum brand power color *\/\n  --mw-bg:     #140d13;   \/* deep midnight purple-charcoal ground lowlight *\/\n  --mw-text:#e0e0e0; --mw-muted:#b8b8b8; --mw-hair:#222;\n  font-family: inherit; background:var(--mw-bg); color:var(--mw-text);\n  line-height:1.7; padding:24px; margin-bottom:60px;\n}\n\/* scoped resets: neutralize theme heading styles inside the block *\/\n.mw-master-container h2, .mw-master-container h3{\n  margin:0; padding:0; font-family:inherit; line-height:inherit; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-h3{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-transform:uppercase;\n  font-size:0.9rem; letter-spacing:2px; margin-top:40px; display:block;\n  border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-glow); padding-bottom:8px; margin-bottom:20px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-accent:hover{ color:#fff; text-decoration:underline; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-info-box{ background:linear-gradient(90deg, var(--mw-bg) 0%, var(--mw-glow) 100%);\n  padding:25px; margin:25px 0; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0; border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-left:4px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container .mw-list{ margin:0; padding-left:20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-grid{ display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; gap:30px; margin:30px 0; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.02); padding:25px;\n  border:1px solid var(--mw-glow); border-radius:4px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card-label{ color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; font-size:0.75rem;\n  text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card-body{ margin-top:20px; font-size:0.9rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-card-body p + p{ margin-top:10px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table{ width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin-top:15px; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td{ padding:14px 0; border-bottom:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  color:#ccc; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-table td:first-child{ font-weight:bold; width:38%; color:var(--mw-accent);\n  text-transform:uppercase; font-size:0.75rem; letter-spacing:1px; }\n.mw-master-container details{ background:rgba(255,255,255,0.03); border:1px solid var(--mw-hair);\n  border-radius:4px; margin-bottom:15px; }\n.mw-master-container summary{ padding:18px; color:var(--mw-accent); font-weight:bold; cursor:pointer;\n  outline:none; list-style:none; display:flex; justify-content:space-between; align-items:center;\n  text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; font-size:0.85rem; }\n.mw-master-container summary::after{ content:'+'; font-size:1.2rem; }\n.mw-master-container details[open]{ border:1px solid var(--mw-accent); }\n.mw-master-container details[open] summary::after{ content:'-'; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content{ padding:0 20px 20px 20px; font-size:0.95rem; }\n.mw-master-container .mw-q{ font-size:0.95rem; font-weight:bold; color:var(--mw-text); margin-top:14px; }\n.mw-master-container .details-content .mw-q:first-child{ margin-top:0; }\n@media (max-width:768px){ .mw-master-container .mw-grid{ grid-template-columns:1fr; } }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"mw-master-container\"\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"speakable\"\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFour Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch (2023 Release) is a Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at barrel strength, 108 proof (54% ABV), from four batches across three recipes aged between 12 and 25 years. Its 25-year-old OBSV component is the oldest bourbon Four Roses has ever used in the series. Released 15 September 2023 as the sixteenth annual edition, marking 135 years since the brand's 1888 founding. Midnight Whiskey stocks the 700 ml export bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eThe Elemental Distinction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-info-box\"\u003e\n    \u003cul class=\"mw-list\"\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eThe 25-year-old OBSV is the headline: the oldest bourbon Four Roses has put into an annual release. It is 5% of the blend — a top dressing, not a base — and Brent Elliott added it only after the 12-, 14- and 16-year-old batches were already balanced against each other.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eFour batches, three recipes: 40% a 14-year-old OESK, 35% a 12-year-old OESV, 20% a 16-year-old OESV, 5% a 25-year-old OBSV. The OESV appears twice at different ages and from different warehouses — the fourth time in the series a recipe has been duplicated across two batches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e95% of the blend runs on the OE mash bill (75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley); the 25-year-old brings the higher-rye OB (60\/35\/5).\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003e108 proof at barrel strength. Four Roses assembles these for balance rather than for a headline number, and this sits low against most barrel-proof bourbon.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eMarks 135 years from the brand's 1888 founding. Roughly 15,060 hand-numbered bottles were distributed, a figure Four Roses gave the trade press; no barrel count was published.\u003c\/li\u003e\n      \u003cli\u003eThis is the 700 ml export bottle, marked 70 cl e, with a Düsseldorf importer address on the label. Its stated strength is 54.0%.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003cdiv class=\"mw-grid\"\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-card-label\"\u003eSensory Profile\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card-body speakable\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allspice, vanilla and seasoned oak, with cinnamon and clove behind them — the distillery's own note on this batch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Layers of honey, vanilla and rye spice set against ripe berries and pear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and mellow by the distillery's description — the fruit dissolves rather than cutting off, which is the balance a 5% dressing of 25-year-old oak is there to earn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card\"\u003e\n      \u003ch3 class=\"mw-card-label\"\u003eStrategic Position\u003c\/h3\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"mw-card-body\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eThis is the anniversary bottle of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/bourbon\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe deep-aged bourbon vault at Midnight Whiskey\u003c\/a\u003e, and it is the one Four Roses release where the distillery reached past its own ceiling — 25 years, in a house that normally treats 20 as the outer edge. Set it beside \u003ca href=\"\/products\/four-roses-limited-edition-2024\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003ethe 108.2-proof 2024 Four Roses\u003c\/a\u003e and the difference in intent is legible: the 2024 is a working blend across 12 to 20 years, this one is a milestone with a quarter-century top note. Both are the same programme; only one had an anniversary to mark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003ctable class=\"mw-table\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProof\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e108 proof (54% ABV)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComponent batches 12-25 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComposition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40% 14-yr OESK · 35% 12-yr OESV · 20% 16-yr OESV · 5% 25-yr OBSV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecipes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFour batches, three recipes: OESK, OESV, OBSV\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMash bills\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e95% OE: 75% corn \/ 20% rye \/ 5% malted barley · 5% OB: 60% corn \/ 35% rye \/ 5% malted barley\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClass\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDistillery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFour Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegion\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKentucky, USA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFormat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 mL (70 cl e, export bottle)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBottling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHand-numbered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRelease\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 September 2023, sixteenth annual edition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eCollector Note\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eFour Roses publishes the recipe codes, parcel percentages and component ages of every annual release, so a vertical of them reads as a documented record rather than a row of vintages — and this is the entry where the record shows the distillery reaching for something it had never used. The 25-year-old OBSV has not been repeated: the 2024 topped out at 20 years and the 2025 at 19. That makes the 2023 a fixed point in the series rather than one year among many, and it is the reason this bottling gets asked about more than its neighbours. Two details identify this particular bottle: the black 135th neck medallion, and the 70 cl e mark that makes it the export fill rather than the American 750 ml. Neither changes the whiskey; both matter to anyone cataloguing a set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003ch2 class=\"mw-h3\"\u003eRecommended Serving\u003c\/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eNeat in a Glencairn, room temperature, five minutes to settle. At 108 proof this is gentler than most barrel-strength bourbon and needs less help than its label suggests — start without water and add it only if the oak crowds the fruit. A few drops open the berry and pear the V yeast supplies across 55% of the blend. Ice is the wrong move here: the fruit is the point, and cold flattens it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eProduction Methodology\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eFour Roses distils at Lawrenceburg, Kentucky from two mash bills — OB at 60% corn, 35% rye and 5% malted barley, and OE at 75% corn, 20% rye and 5% malted barley — fermented with five proprietary yeast strains, giving ten distinct bourbons. Each is named by a four-letter code: O for the distillery's Old Prentice origin, B or E for the mash bill, S for straight whiskey, and a final letter for the yeast, where V is the delicate-fruit strain and K the baking-spice strain. Maturation happens in single-storey rack warehouses, which hold a narrower temperature range than tall multi-storey warehouses and let barrels reach 20 years and beyond without collapsing into oak — the condition that made a 25-year-old component usable at all. For each annual release Brent Elliott works from batches held back at over ten years old, assembling and bottling at natural barrel strength. For this one he balanced three batches first and then chose the fourth as a dressing, at 5%.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Vault Preservation\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n      \u003cp\u003eEvery bottle sold through Midnight Whiskey is sourced as an authentic, sealed product and inspected before it ships. Orders are packed with padded, glass-rated handling and require an adult signature (21+) on delivery; we do not ship to anyone unable to verify legal drinking age. For our full sourcing and handling protocols, see \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/authentication-standards\" class=\"mw-accent\"\u003eour editorial and authentication standards\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n  \u003cdetails\u003e\n    \u003csummary\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"details-content\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhat is the oldest bourbon in the Four Roses 135th Anniversary?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blend carries a 25-year-old OBSV, which Four Roses states is the oldest bourbon it has ever put into one of its annual Small Batch releases. It accounts for 5% of the blend: Brent Elliott settled the 12-, 14- and 16-year-old batches first, then selected the 25-year-old as a fourth component to add depth. The remaining 95% comes from batches aged 12 to 16 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eWhat proof is the Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFour Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch (2023 Release) is bottled at 108 proof, or 54% ABV, at barrel strength. That is a moderate figure by barrel-proof standards — Four Roses assembles for balance rather than for a headline number, and 108 proof is the natural strength of the batch rather than a proofed-down house target. The bottle Midnight Whiskey stocks is the 700 ml export format, and its label reads 54.0%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"mw-q\"\u003eHow is the Four Roses 135th Anniversary different from the 2024 release?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 135th Anniversary is the 2023 edition, assembled from four batches across three recipes — 40% a 14-year-old OESK, 35% a 12-year-old OESV, 20% a 16-year-old OESV and 5% a 25-year-old OBSV — and bottled at 108 proof. The 2024 Four Roses annual release is a different blend at 108.2 proof, spanning 12 to 20 years, with a 20-year-old OBSV as its oldest component. The 25-year-old in the 2023 blend is still the oldest bourbon Four Roses has used in the series, which is what the anniversary bottling is remembered for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Product\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023#product\",\n      \"name\": \"Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch (2023 Release)\",\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023\",\n      \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023\",\n      \"image\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/cdn\/shop\/files\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-bourbon-2023-front-label.jpg\",\n      \"description\": \"Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch (2023 Release) is a Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at barrel strength, 108 proof (54% ABV), from four batches across three recipes aged 12 to 25 years, including a 25-year-old OBSV. This listing is the 700 mL export bottle.\",\n      \"sku\": \"FR-135-2023-700\",\n      \"mpn\": \"FR-135-2023\",\n      \"gtin13\": \"[PLACEHOLDER_GTIN]\",\n      \"brand\": { \"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"Four Roses\" },\n      \"manufacturer\": { \"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Four Roses Distillery\" },\n      \"releaseDate\": \"2023-09-15\",\n      \"category\": \"Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey\",\n      \"additionalProperty\": [\n        { \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\", \"name\": \"Proof\", \"value\": \"108 proof (54% ABV)\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\", \"name\": \"ABV\", \"value\": \"54% ABV\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\", \"name\": \"Age statement\", \"value\": \"Component batches 12-25 years\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\", \"name\": \"Mash bill\", \"value\": \"95% OE: 75% corn \/ 20% rye \/ 5% malted barley · 5% OB: 60% corn \/ 35% rye \/ 5% malted barley\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\", \"name\": \"Region\", \"value\": \"Kentucky, USA\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"PropertyValue\", \"name\": \"Format\", \"value\": \"700 mL\" }\n      ],\n      \"offers\": {\n        \"@type\": \"Offer\",\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023#offer\",\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"price\": \"449.95\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n        \"itemCondition\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/NewCondition\",\n        \"seller\": {\n          \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n          \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/#org\",\n          \"name\": \"Midnight Whiskey\"\n        }\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023#breadcrumb\",\n      \"itemListElement\": [\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Bourbon\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/collections\/bourbon\" },\n        { \"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Four Roses 135th Anniversary 2023\" }\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023#faq\",\n      \"about\": { \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023#product\" },\n      \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What is the oldest bourbon in the Four Roses 135th Anniversary?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The blend carries a 25-year-old OBSV, which Four Roses states is the oldest bourbon it has ever put into one of its annual Small Batch releases. It accounts for 5% of the blend: Brent Elliott settled the 12-, 14- and 16-year-old batches first, then selected the 25-year-old as a fourth component to add depth. The remaining 95% comes from batches aged 12 to 16 years.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"What proof is the Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch (2023 Release) is bottled at 108 proof, or 54% ABV, at barrel strength. That is a moderate figure by barrel-proof standards — Four Roses assembles for balance rather than for a headline number, and 108 proof is the natural strength of the batch rather than a proofed-down house target. The bottle Midnight Whiskey stocks is the 700 ml export format, and its label reads 54.0%.\" }\n        },\n        {\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\n          \"name\": \"How is the Four Roses 135th Anniversary different from the 2024 release?\",\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": { \"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 135th Anniversary is the 2023 edition, assembled from four batches across three recipes — 40% a 14-year-old OESK, 35% a 12-year-old OESV, 20% a 16-year-old OESV and 5% a 25-year-old OBSV — and bottled at 108 proof. The 2024 Four Roses annual release is a different blend at 108.2 proof, spanning 12 to 20 years, with a 20-year-old OBSV as its oldest component. The 25-year-old in the 2023 blend is still the oldest bourbon Four Roses has used in the series, which is what the anniversary bottling is remembered for.\" }\n        }\n      ]\n    }\n  ]\n}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","brand":"Four Roses Distillery","offers":[{"title":"700mL","offer_id":44837104418850,"sku":"1240000014815","price":449.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"750mL","offer_id":45210088898594,"sku":null,"price":479.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0812\/5566\/1602\/files\/4RLE135Front.jpg?v=1784221405","url":"https:\/\/www.midnightwhiskey.com\/products\/four-roses-135th-anniversary-limited-edition-small-batch-2023","provider":"Midnight Whiskey ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}