Four Roses Distillery has announced Experimental Series No. 003: Chestnut, a limited-edition bourbon finished in chestnut wood barrels. It is the third release in the distillery’s Experimental Series, following earlier explorations with Mizunara and honey-seasoned casks. The bourbon goes on sale Nov. 20.
The release began with trials testing how different wood species interacted with Four Roses’ 10 bourbon recipes. Chestnut stood out for the subtle, distinctive flavors it added, which led the distillery to expand its experiments. Four Roses chose its six-year-old OBSK recipe for the final expression and finished it in 250-liter chestnut barrels made from wood grown in Japan.
Mature bourbon was moved into barrels with a range of toast and char levels. Each barrel was sampled often and emptied individually once it reached the desired flavor profile, with finishing times ranging from five to 11 weeks.
“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,” said Master Distiller Brent Elliott. He said the OBSK recipe had the complexity and spice to complement those flavors.
Bottled at 104 proof (52% ABV), the bourbon opens with aromas of rich apricot and soft vanilla. The palate is rounded and creamy, with notes of vanilla bean, pear, and ripe cherry, along with sweet, toasted wood and hints of baking spice. The finish is rich and lingering, with delicate fruit and brown sugar.
Experimental Series No. 003: Chestnut comes in a 375-milliliter bottle and sells for a suggested retail price of $55. It will be available while supplies last at the Four Roses Visitor Centers in Lawrenceburg and Cox’s Creek, Kentucky, beginning Nov. 20. The distillery says it is designed to be savored neat.
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