Second Release Leverages Barrel-Finishing Innovation Four Roses Distillery has announced Experimental Series No. 002 Honey Cask Finish, the second limited-edition release in its experimental program. The bourbon follows the debut of Experimental Series No. 001 Mizunara Cask Finish and explores a two-stage barrel lifecycle driven by a partnership with local honey producer Bohman Bee Company. The barrels were originally used to age Four Roses' Bourbon Barrel Aged Honey. After the honey was removed, the barrels returned to the distillery for a second fill of bourbon, imparting subtle honey notes while maintaining the brand's signature profile. "One of the things I love most about this release is how naturally it came together," said Master Distiller Brent Elliott. "It simply started with barrels that had already taken on a unique character. The honey is there from the moment you bring the glass to your nose, but it's never artificial or overpowering. If you have the chance to taste it alongside our Bourbon Barrel Aged Honey, you can really appreciate the journey those barrels have taken and the role they've played in both products."
Production Details and Tasting Profile The blend combines six-, seven-, and eight-year-old bourbons from Four Roses' OESQ and OBSK recipes, finished in the honey-seasoned barrels for three to nine months. The spirit was bottled at 104 proof to balance classic Four Roses character with the honey cask influence. Tasting notes include natural honey, floral undertones, warm baking spice, and a lingering finish.
Availability and Scope Experimental Series No. 002 is packaged in 375ml bottles and will be available exclusively at the Four Roses Distillery and Cox's Creek Visitor Centers starting September 18 at a suggested retail price of $55 plus applicable tax, while supplies last. Four Roses operates under a 10-recipe framework combining two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains. The Experimental Series represents an expansion of the brand's 138-year-old portfolio.
Why It Matters
As premium spirits producers increasingly explore secondary barrel finishing to differentiate limited releases, Four Roses' approach to barrel reuse—drawing value from a complementary product partnership—offers an operational model worth tracking. The exclusivity strategy (distillery-only sales at a $55 price point) also reflects broader luxury spirits positioning among operators seeking high-margin, limited-availability products.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
