Four Roses 125th Anniversary bottling

@Pudge72, right you are, April 11, 2011! I haven't tried the new Four Roses 125th Anniversary bottling, but do hope to try a sample one day. Check with @cpstecroix and @thecyclingyogi about the Four Roses 125th...I think that they have some, though maybe not opened yet.

I do own an unopened bottle of that 2009 Four Roses Mariage, though. When I one day open it, I will be happy to save you a sample.

...no, Pudge, we jumped too quickly...it was April 8, 2011...a FRIDAY.

@Victor...so close!! :) The FR 125 seems to be selling well here in Ontari-ari-o (rye and bourbon fans are slowly getting better supplied...the LCBO seems to be gradually realizing that there is a healthy whisky 'connosr'/geek group that will "buy, if you supply (at not too hideous of a price)". If I do end up getting a bottle, I will most definitely set aside a sample for you.

Astonishing! 4R 125th is a Very good whiskey. Full of raisins and a year older than the 2012 Small batch Limited Edition release, which by the way was excellent - the berries have faded and dried fruit, especially raisins, have moved forward.

The spiciness and woodiness is amplified and floral notes are very much forward - a rye-bomb. The similarities to CC20YO and FC H of Gold is what I find astonishing. This is by no means a clone, but in a blind, I would guess this to be a barrel strength vintage Canadian blend finished, at length, in new oak. I've been going back and forth from 4R to CC20 and it astounds me to find these similarities. Oh, to have a sample of CC20 at 100 proof would be the ultimate H2H with this 4R Anniversary Edition 51.6 % abv. This blend is pretty much the same juice as last year's release, but the extra year has allowed the berries to fade and now dried fruit, especially raisins, has become prominent.

Christmas cake, baking spices, background fine brandy notes. I don't know whether i should buy a case of the Four Roses 125th or CC 20 YO...if I could afford the cost , yes, I would buy a box of both.

Bourbon is such a huge category and Four Roses has certainly created their own sub-category with this release.

@Pudge72 - how's that for astonishing?

My answer to your question would be - yes, I have tried it.

@Victor, I nearly called you yesterday afternoon to ask you the same question.

Cheers!

This stuff is flying off the shelves in Toronto. There were a few locations that had some yesterday and now there are two. The store I went to had 6 listed online, 5 in the store inventory and NONE on the shelf. They did find a bottle (wonder if it was being held for someone...sorry if you're reading this), and this morning the location has none.

@Paddockjudge, your description made me happy I picked one up. I think I'll probably wait until I finis at least one bottle I have open before getting to this one, but I'm really looking forward to it. Wonder if it will be at Spirit of Toronto....

This is long gone in the states. I bought my bottle back in September-ish last year. It is not the exact same recipe as the 2012 Limited Small Batch. For this one, 4 Roses threw out the youngest recipe in the 2012, and increased the age of the other 3 recipes by a year. The biggest difference that I noted was an absence of the tropical/coconut nature of the 2012. The comments that this bottle is a spicier version of the 2012 are spot on. If you are able to get bottles where you live, I highly recommend securing a bottle or 2. I wish I had bought a replacement bottle.

Geez, is everyone from toronto? I've tried this years FR 125th and it really is the best limited release bourbon of 2013/14. Here is my list of limited release whiskies that I've tried and my ratings.

FR 125th. - 94/100 Sazerac 18 - 93 Parkers and George T. Stagg- 92 Thomas H. Handy, Elijah CBP, Pappy 20, FR 2013 single Barrel - 91/100 Eagle Rare and Pappy 12 - 90 Pappy 15 - 89 Pappy 10 - 88 Angels Envy barrel proof - 87 Abraham Bowman Last millenium - 83

Now, that being said, I give top honors to E.H. Taylors barrel proof - 95/100 and the 2012 release of Thomas H. Handy - 94/100.

These are just my ratings. Anyone agree? Disagree?

@Onibubba - Serendipity - The bureaucratic complexities of operating state-run warehouses, and testing facilities, has delayed the release of Four Roses 125th in Ontario - typical, SNAFU. Perhaps I can put one away for you. The price of C$80 is $10 less than Rock Hill Farms and $25 more than Elmer T. Lee.

@Maltmark - Nice line-up! I wish I could agree with you, but I've not had my share yet - the availability of these ultra-premiums in Ontario is scarce to nil - if it wasn't for @Victor and a few other whiskey buddies, I'd rarely sample any of them.

It indeed was indeed in high LCBO demand this weekend.

I got a printout from the Sherbourne & Front location on Friday evening that indicated 84 bottles at Dovercourt and Dundas. I went Saturday around 2pm and they were all sold out - I inquired if the 84 was a misprint and was advised (with mock wings) that they were flying off the shelves.

Was able to hold a couple of bottles from the Green Lane branch and would be happy to share.

I

@JayRain Only 5 left in all of Toronto.

I should have picked up a spare. But seriously, things I want to try are popping up faster than I can sample them, and I'm running out of space...

But I too am willing to share once I've finished one or both of the bourbons I have open.

@Pudge72 buy it....

Thank you to everybody who provided feedback. The high praise from @paddockjudge and others confirmed that I should pick this beauty up.

After chasing inventory ghosts for a couple of days, a small break in my work day allowed me to detour to Oakville yesterday, where one store was able to hold their last "available" bottle (I had learned that many of the bottles were being held for others for pick-up) for me for a half hour so I could pick it up. I'm almost certain if I hadn't called ahead, I would have been out of luck. The FR 125 is now safe and sound in my cabinet. Can't wait to try it!!

@Pudge72 Glad to read that you got a bottle

Congrats on the score. I think you will love it.

Well it looks as if the LCBO is completely out of stock. The expression doesn't even come up on a search. That's since others that sell out are still searchable.

I hope everyone had a chance to get a bottle if they wanted one.