Four Roses 125th Anniversary 2013 Limited Edition Small Batch (signed by Brent Elliott)

Jim Rutledge's milestone selection. Four Roses 125th Anniversary 2013 Limited Edition Small Batch — barrel strength, non-chill filtered, from the final years of the Master Distiller whose four-decade tenure transformed Four Roses into one of America's most respected bourbon producers.

Jim Rutledge served as Four Roses' Master Distiller from 1994 until his retirement in 2015. During his tenure he revived the Four Roses brand in the American market (the brand had been export-only in the U.S. for decades), built the Annual Limited Edition program, and earned the Whisky Magazine Icon of Whisky for the Americas. The 125th Anniversary is a 2013 release — two years before Rutledge's retirement, from the height of his recognition as one of American whiskey's most celebrated practitioners.

The 125th Anniversary Small Batch combines multiple Four Roses recipes from the 10-recipe program at barrel strength without chill filtration — the same approach as the Annual LE, applied to the specific milestone of the distillery's founding 125 years prior. As a 2013 release now over a decade from primary distribution, it represents Rutledge's program at its critical apex.

Specs

• Distillery: Four Roses, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky (est. 1888)
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch
• Bottling: Barrel strength, non-chill filtered
• Master Distiller: Jim Rutledge
• Release: 125th Anniversary Limited Edition, 2013
• Size: 750ml

Explore the full Four Roses collection or browse all bourbon at Wooden Cork.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is this a Rutledge-era piece? Jim Rutledge retired in 2015, making the 2013 125th Anniversary one of his final milestone releases. Two years before his retirement, the 2013 represents Rutledge at the height of his recognition — awarded Icon of Whisky for the Americas — selecting the distillery's finest barrels for the 125th founding anniversary.
• How does the 125th compare to the 130th and 135th? The 130th (2018) and 135th (2023) are Brent Elliott-era releases. The 125th is a Rutledge-era release — connecting to the Master Distiller whose work defined Four Roses' modern reputation. For Rutledge collectors, the 125th is particularly significant as one of his last anniversary selections.
• Is the 2013 125th Anniversary still available? A rare find — now over a decade from its original release.