Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026) Review

Four Roses
Anthology Chapter 1: Origin (2026)
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Aged 21 Years | Single Barrel | Barrel Strength
115 Proof
SRP: $500 / 750ml
Review by Craig and Cynthia

Please enjoy our Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026) Review by Craig and Cynthia!

Origin: The First Chapter of Four Roses’ Anthology Collection

From the distillery website: “Anthology is an annual storytelling experience that captures the essence of Four Roses through a curated collection of narratives. Each year unveils a new chapter, spotlighting a defining moment in our bourbon’s rich history. This evolving series honors the legacy of Four Roses – celebrating it alongside the highly anticipated release of our limited 21-year bourbon.”

Four Roses’ Anthology Collection is a new annual series pairing a limited 21-year-old bourbon with a chapter from the brand’s history. Chapter 1: Origin looks back to 1888 and Paul Jones Jr.’s romantic gesture that inspired the Four Roses name. Each release through 2035 will feature one of the brand’s ten recipes.

Distilled in 2002, this inaugural release spent 21 years in oak before being transferred to stainless steel vats. Its packaging includes cypress wood sourced from decommissioned fermenters at the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, distillery.

Crafted around the iconic OBSF recipe, this offering pairs a high-rye mash bill comprising 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley with an herbal and floral yeast strain to deliver a vibrant character. Pulled from hand-selected single barrels featuring varying proofs, ranging from 102.5 to 124.9, the limited run yielded approximately 1,200 bottles when it debuted as a distillery-only exclusive in July 2026. Marking a significant milestone for collectors, this release stands as the inaugural installment in an ambitious ten-part series planned to unfold sequentially through 2035.

Details — Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026) Review

• Brand: Four Roses
• Collection: Anthology
• Chapter: 1 — Origin
• Release: 2026; debuted July 2026
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 21 years
• Recipe: OBSF
• Mash Bill: 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley
• Yeast: Herbal and floral
• Distilled: 2002
• Maturation: Aged 21 years in oak before transfer to stainless steel vats
• Bottling: Single barrel; barrel strength
• Proof: 115 (reviewed barrel)
• ABV: 57.5% (reviewed barrel)
• Release Proof Range: 102.5–124.9
• Approximate Release Size: 1,200 bottles
• Availability at Release: Distillery-only; sold out on day one
• Packaging: Includes cypress wood sourced from decommissioned fermenters at the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, distillery
• SRP: $500 / 750ml
• Brand Website: FourRosesBourbon.com

Our Sample

Our sample was provided by a friend who was passing by the distillery on the day it was released and was able to procure a bottle. Thank you so much for sharing! This particular single barrel came in at 115 proof, right in the middle of the range of offerings.

Tasting Notes — Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026) Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass
Color: Dark amber

👉🏻 Nose (Craig): Orchard sweetness with candied apricot, pear, banana and overripe cherries; dark chocolate-covered almonds, seasoned wood, cigar tobacco, faint rye spice
👉🏻 Nose (Cynthia): Cherries, almond, caramelized bananas like Bananas Foster; rich, warm, decadent sweetness

👉🏻 Taste (Craig): Cinnamon sugar, toasted grain, Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, rich caramel, initially fruit-forward; creamy and velvety texture, black pepper, baking spices, leather, cigar tobacco, delicious wood, toasted oak, charred barrel
👉🏻 Taste (Cynthia): Sweet grilled corn, peppery spice that tickles the lips, candied ginger, almond paste (marzipan), traditional Italian cookies

👉🏻 Finish (Craig): Long; leather, heavy tobacco, dense and velvety, with the dark, aromatic oiliness of a Maduro cigar, peppery oak
👉🏻 Finish (Cynthia): Long and bold; heat hits hard and fast, then softens into a lingering warm hug

Detailed Tasting Notes — Orchard Fruit, Sweet Grain and Oak

Nose (Craig): On the nose, Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026) opens with an inviting bouquet of orchard sweetness, highlighting bright candied apricot and pear cushioned by a soft background of banana and rich, overripe cherries. As the aroma develops in the glass, it deepens to introduce heavier, decadent scents of dark chocolate-covered almonds, deep seasoned wood, and fragrant cigar tobacco. Remarkably restrained for a high-rye mash bill, the typical peppery assertiveness is subdued, presenting only a faint whisper of rye spice that gently accents rather than dominates the nosing experience. The overall aromatic profile is sumptuously sweet and complex, promising a rich and velvety pour before the first sip is even taken.

Nose (Cynthia): Right out of the glass, it opens up with a rich, decadent sweetness. I got bright cherries, rich almond, and caramelized bananas, bringing to mind a freshly made Bananas Foster. It is warm, inviting, and sets the tone before you even take your first sip.

Taste (Craig): Upon taking a sip, the palate opens with a nostalgic, indulgent burst of sweet cinnamon sugar and toasted grain reminiscent of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. A creamy, velvety texture immediately coats the mouth, seamlessly balancing an energetic pop of black pepper that reveals the true character of the high-rye mash bill. Deep, savory notes of supple leather and rich cigar tobacco build across the mid-palate, all anchored by a massive, beautifully integrated wave of delicious wood influence. The dynamic contrast between sweet cereal crust, vibrant spice, and heavy oak creates a luxurious, full-bodied tasting experience from start to finish.

Taste (Cynthia): That initial taste takes me straight to warm summer evenings: sweet, grilled corn right off the cob, quickly followed by a lively peppery spice that tickles the lips. As it opens up with follow-up sips, the profile shifts delightfully into notes of candied ginger, rich almond paste (marzipan), and subtle bakery hints of traditional Italian cookies.

Finish (Craig): The finish seamlessly carries forward the rich themes established on the nose and palate. It proves delightfully long, though it is so captivating you can’t help but wish it stretched on just a bit further. Deep notes of supple leather and heavy tobacco completely dominate the final fade, leaving a dense, velvety aftertaste that lingers on the palate much like the dark, aromatic oiliness of a fine Maduro cigar.

Finish (Cynthia): The finish is long, bold, and incredibly welcoming. The heat hits hard and fast at first, but then it quickly softens, rolling into a deep, comforting warm hug that settles in for a long stay.

Craig’s Conclusion — Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026) Sets a High Benchmark

Launching an ambitious multi-year series carries immense pressure, but this inaugural release doesn’t just meet expectations; it establishes an enviable benchmark right out of the gate. From the first sip, it proves itself to be an absolute winner that balances approachable elegance with serious structural depth.

The pour opens with an inviting burst of sweetness, led by rich caramel, honeyed orchard fruits, and a touch of macerated dark cherry. Just as that fruit-forward brightness coats the palate, the profile executes a seamless, confident pivot into darker, more mature territory. A wave of toasted oak, cracked peppercorn, and warming baking spice cuts through the initial sweetness, anchored by a deep foundation of antique leather, pipe tobacco, and charred barrel.

The texture carries noticeable weight, and the finish refuses to quit. Long after the sip, the peppery oak and savory leather hum on the back of the palate, leaving a dry, warming resonance that keeps you reaching back for the glass.

It easily stands among the most memorable, complete pours of the year. Beyond being an exceptional standalone bottle, it serves as an electrifying statement of intent for the remainder of this 10-year project. If year one is any indication of the maturation pedigree going into this series, hunting down bottles over the next decade is going to be well worth the effort.

Cynthia’s Conclusion — A Pour Worth Slowing Down For

What makes this pour so much fun is how the sweetness and the spice dance back and forth. They weave and flow throughout the entire glass, keeping you guessing and engaged with every sip. It is dynamic, complex, and a complete joy to explore. Some whiskeys are made for quick toasts, but this one immediately demanded that we slow down, sit back, and just be present. I even threw on a Fall Jazz playlist on Spotify to set the cozy vibe. If you want to build a meal around this pour, it shines alongside vibrant, fresh flavors. Start with a bright corn and mango salsa served with salty tortilla chips, where the sweet corn and mango echo the grain and fruit notes in the glass. For the main dish, pair it with a hearty quinoa bowl packed with grilled chicken, chickpeas, roasted red peppers, avocado, fresh spinach, and a zesty honey lime vinaigrette to bridge the whiskey’s sweet and peppery spice.

Ultimately, this is not a whiskey to rush through. It is built for those moments when you have the time to linger, take a personal care time-out, close your eyes, and just breathe. Put on some quiet music, take a deep breath, and let yourself be entirely in the moment.

Have you tried the Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026)? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

A note on barrel variation: Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026) is a single-barrel release. These tasting notes reflect the 115-proof barrel reviewed here; other barrels may vary.

We hope you have enjoyed our Four Roses Anthology Chapter 1 (2026) Review by Craig and Cynthia! Next, read our Four Roses Bourbon 100 Proof Review, Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Review and Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon Review. To learn more about the brand’s two mash bills, five yeast strains and ten recipes—including the OBSF recipe used in this release—read Four Roses Bourbon Recipes – The Basics.

Note: This sample was graciously shared by a friend for Craig and Cynthia’s review. They appreciate it!

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