Four Roses Distillery Celebrates the Holiday Season with Chestnut Wood-Finished Bourbon in Third Experimental Release

LAWRENCEBURG, KY (October 29, 2026) – Today, Four Roses Distillery announces Experimental Series No. 003: Chestnut, the third release in its Experimental Series. Following explorations with Mizunara and honey-seasoned casks, the latest expression uses chestnut wood to reveal how uncommon wood finishes can add new dimensions to Four Roses’ signature flavor profile. Each limited release in the Experimental series builds on the distillery’s distinctive 10-recipe foundation, balancing experimentation with its longstanding commitment to craftsmanship.

The release began with trials exploring how different wood species interacted with Four Roses’ ten bourbon recipes. Chestnut quickly distinguished itself, contributing subtle, distinctive flavors that prompted the distillery to expand its experimentation. Four Roses ultimately selected its six-year-old OBSK recipe for the final expression, pairing its signature spice and complexity with the sweet, rounded flavors developed in 250-liter chestnut barrels made from wood grown in Japan.

“To me, what makes this release so interesting is how chestnut wood can enhance and highlight the flavors of a bourbon,” said Master Distiller Brent Elliott. “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. The OBSK recipe had the complexity and spice we were looking for to complement those flavors, creating a bourbon that feels familiar in its foundation but offers new, distinct flavors in the glass.”

To create Experimental Series No. 003, mature bourbon was transferred into chestnut barrels featuring a range of toast and char levels. Each barrel was sampled frequently throughout the finishing process and emptied individually once it reached its desired flavor profile, with finishing times ranging from five to eleven weeks. This barrel-by-barrel approach allowed the distillery to carefully capture the distinctive character of the chestnut wood while maintaining the balance of the underlying bourbon.

Bottled at 104 proof (52% ABV), Experimental Series No. 003: Chestnut opens with aromas of rich apricot and soft vanilla. The palate is rounded and creamy, with notes of vanilla bean, pear and ripe cherry complemented by sweet, toasted wood and hints of baking spice. The finish is rich and lingering, with the taste of delicate fruit and brown sugar.

Bottled in a 375ml format, Experimental Series No. 003: Chestnut will be available for purchase, while supplies last at the Four Roses Visitor Centers in Lawrenceburg and Cox's Creek beginning on November 20 (SRP $55 per bottle), just in time for the holidays. Designed to be savored neat, its rich, rounded character also makes it the perfect way to end a memorable meal.

About Four Roses Distillery: Established in 1888, Four Roses combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to distill and age 10 distinct bourbon recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile. With distilling and warehousing operations in Lawrenceburg and Cox's Creek, Kentucky, respectively, Four Roses is available globally. Four Roses has a long tradition of earning widespread recognition across respected spirits competitions, receiving numerous top-tier honors that underscore the quality and craftsmanship of its super-premium bourbon portfolio. Among these accolades, Four Roses was also named World's Best Single Barrel at the World Whiskies Awards, further cementing its place among the world's most celebrated bourbon producers.

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