While your significant other might be receiving 12 roses this Friday, wouldn’t it be better to guarantee at least Four Roses for yourself? The Oakland Art and Novelty in Ferndale, Mich. received a barrel of 11 year old, full strength bourbon from Four Roses. This is a very exclusive honor and they are the only Michigan bar to get the treasure. While the barrel is 55 gallons, due to the evaporation (i.e. alcoholic angels), it ends up to be 33 after the ageing. This nets out to over 2,800 1.5 oz servings. That’s a good party.

I tried some last week at both full strength (125 proof) and in a cocktail. Even with that level of power, it is surprisingly smooth. There isn’t an overly harsh burn (there is some) but the flavors are so full. Caramels, woods and a bit of smoke are all easy to pick-up and delicious.

Mixing is even more of a treat. With that high of a proof, it doesn’t dilute the flavors so quickly as something at a more common proof (80 or 100). The Manhattan I had was rich with the sweet vermouth but the bourbon sang over the top with the whiskey flavors while bitters tied it all together.

The Metro Detroit area is really making a name for itself in the spirits world (not to be confused with spirit world) and The Oakland is doing so much great work. Congrats to Sandy and The Oakland team. Looking forward to what you do with the bourbon over the next few months.

Budmo!