Four Roses Celebrates 120 Years with Limited Edition Bourbon

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- It's rare for something that began with a marriage proposal to still be going strong 120 years later. But Four Roses Bourbon, named for the corsage a beautiful Southern belle wore to accept founder Paul Jones Jr.'s proposal, celebrates its 120th anniversary this year.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080422/CLTU131 )

The brand will celebrate the milestone by releasing a special limited edition Bourbon, Four Roses Barrel Strength 120th Anniversary Limited Edition Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey.

Planned for a mid-May release, Four Roses' Anniversary edition has been aged 12 years, and is uncut and non-chill filtered with proof range of 103 to 116. Approximately 3,000 bottles will be produced.

"With 2008 being our 120th year distilling the finest Bourbon, we wanted to release a timeless classic with the utmost sophistication," said Jim Rutledge, Four Roses Master Distiller and Bourbon Hall of Fame member.

Rutledge said the Anniversary Bourbon boasts a mellow yet robust spiciness with delicate, fruity flavors and hints of nutmeg, vanilla, toasted almonds, baked apples and pears. The long, smooth finish includes touches of caramel and cocoa.

"Releasing a limited edition in April, right before the Kentucky Derby, is a perfect time," added Rutledge. "It's a time when people from around the world visit our Commonwealth, and we want to provide a taste of why Bourbon is synonymous with Kentucky."

During the 2007 Kentucky Bourbon Festival last September, Four Roses released its first-ever limited edition Bourbon paying tribute to Rutledge's 40-year career in the industry, which quickly sold out. It was the highlight of a year that included numerous spirits-industry accolades and awards.

Formerly the nation's top-selling Bourbon in the 1930s, '40s and '50s, Four Roses virtually disappeared in the '60s when then-owner Seagram began selling the brand exclusively overseas to focus on blended whiskies in the states. Under Rutledge's urging and new ownership with Kirin, Four Roses Bourbon was returned to the U.S. in 2002 with distribution limited to Kentucky, and at the same time, the blended whiskey was discontinued to focus solely on Bourbon.

Last year, the brand expanded distribution to New York, New Jersey, Tennessee and Illinois after 45 years of absence. Rutledge said the demand for Four Roses Bourbon continues to grow and the distillery plans to expand distribution further later this year.