Funky aged oak | Tobacco | Leather | Vanilla cream | Hint of floral notes

Dense funky oak | Aged leather | Black pepper | Slight herbal undertone | Creamy mouthfeel

Aged oak | Leather | Cigar box | Baking spices | Long

Since the April 2026 announcement of Four Roses changing hands from Kirin Holdings to E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo), it has become clear that Gallo intends to transform the brand from an established distillery with a core baseline portfolio to one that begins pushing boundaries into new territory. For a brand with a long history and fairly straightforward portfolio of bourbons, it’s exciting to see the distillery begin throwing its hat into the more dynamic side of bourbon releases.

According to the company, Anthology is “a new ultra-premium annual series of rare and highly limited releases that each tell a distinct chapter of the brand’s 138-year story.” Chapter One: Origin is the oldest release in Four Roses history and is intended to represent the brand’s beginning, which dates back to 1888. Chapter One: Origin is approximately a 1,200 bottle single barrel release with bottlings at barrel proof ranging from 102.5-124.9 proof.

Released as a single barrel expression, each barrel will have its own unique attributes. The bourbon in review is from a lower proof barrel. Origin doubles down on its high age statement, with funky aged oak right up front combined with savory aromas of tobacco and leather. Vanilla cream and a hint of floral notes give a slight boost towards the more familiar Four Roses direction, but remain fleeting. On the palate, a wave of dense, funky oak up front is further amplified by aged leather and black pepper. A slight herbal undertone emerges, and while it's not quite the minty flavor the OBSF recipe is known for, it hints towards it. The sip draws against aged oak in its long finish, with leather, cigar box, and baking spices adding depth.

Origin is surprising yet not. Four Roses is known for its bright fruity, floral flavor profile, and aged oak is rarely a prominent flavor. Origin’s focus on aged oak isn’t just prominent; it’s what defines it. This new direction is unusual for Four Roses, but not surprising considering Gallo’s clear intent to push the brand into new areas. Origin accomplishes that, but remains grounded and familiar by that same measure. It’s familiar in a sense that it falls more in line with an overall flavor profile that’s more consistent with high aged, oak-focused bourbons from other major Kentucky distilleries.

Anthology Chapter One: Origin comes in at a high asking price, but has collector-worthy attributes that the brand is clearly trying to justify at such a premium. From a drinkability standpoint, its oak-driven flavor profile is well-executed, but heavy-handed, so this will appeal primarily to those who enjoy flavor profiles that lean that direction. It’s exciting to see Four Roses enter this new chapter, and as they do, I hope they find the right balance between accessible releases (both in distribution and cost) and ultra-premium releases like this one.

‍‍‍The sample provided for review is from a representative barrel; however, the barrel number was not provided by the company.