5 Tasty Four Roses Bourbons: Kentucky Whiskey Magic


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From the sprawling fields of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, to the golden hue of its bottles, Four Roses has been crafting their American bourbon since 1888.

But bourbon perfection is more complex than it sounds, as mashing, fermentation, distillation, and ageing play their part. However, their secret sauce is in the recipe itself.

What makes Four Roses bourbon stand out (to this Londoner) is its innovative use of ten distinct recipes—a combination of two mash bills and five yeast strains—creating a vast library of flavours to call upon.

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Best Four Roses Bourbon

From the original Four Roses Kentucky straight to their Small Batch Select and beyond, here is my take on the best Four Roses bourbons.

1. Four Roses Bourbon

Four Roses Bourbon
Credit: Four Roses

Overview

  • Distiller: Four Roses
  • ABV: 40% (80 Proof)
  • Country: America
  • Colour: Amber
  • Recipes: OBSV, OBSK, OBSO, OBSQ, OBSF, OESV, OESK, OEDO, OESQ, OESF

Review

This 5-year-old entry-level Four Roses Bourbon blends the brand’s 10-recipe bourbon portfolio. It’s an easygoing Kentucky straight made of corn, rye, and barley.

On The Nose

Sweet, floral notes with a hint of honey.

On The Palate

This bourbon opens with ripe pears and crisp apples that merge with subtle spices, smooth caramel, and oak mid-palate. The finish is gently honeyed.

Best Served

Neat or on the rocks, I also recommend you try it in a classic cocktail such as an Old Fashioned or a sublime Rob Roy.

Pricing & Info

You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.

2. Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
Credit: Four Roses

Overview

  • Distiller: Four Roses
  • ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
  • Country: America
  • Colour: Amber
  • Recipes: OBSK, OBSO, OESK, OESO

Review

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon is both complex and exceptionally smooth. This expression is aged 6-7 years, offering a richer bourbon experience.

On The Nose

Rich caramel, berries, and a whisper of spice.

On The Palate

Ripe berries on the opening, a core of caramel, hints of plum and cherry, and a touch of oak and baking spice—this bourbon is a marvel of depth and softness.

Best Served

Splendid straight or with a splash of water. Elevates a Whiskey Sour to new heights or a sparkling John Collins.

Pricing & Info

You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.

3. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
Credit: Four Roses

Overview

  • Distiller: Four Roses
  • ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
  • Country: America
  • Colour: Deep Amber
  • Recipes: OBSV

Review

Four Roses Single Barrel is aged 7-9 years in barrels hand-selected by their Master Distiller for its unique character, offering a bold, deep, and nuanced bourbon.

On The Nose

Intense vanilla and pear aromas with a backdrop of cocoa and spice.

On The Palate

A robust profile of vanilla, ripe fruits, and caramel is underscored by a rich spiciness and oak undertones. Each sip reveals more complexity and depth.

Best Served

Perfect as a neat pour. For me, it’s also magnificent in a Manhattan or a Sazerac cocktail.

Pricing & Info

You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.

4. Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon

Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon
Credit: Four Roses

Overview

  • Distiller: Four Roses
  • ABV: 52% (104 Proof)
  • Country: America
  • Colour: Amber
  • Recipes: OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, OESF

Review

Four Roses Small Batch Select is a 104-proof bourbon that I find quite feisty. It’s a non-chill-filtered, high-proof whiskey rich in flavour and character.

On The Nose

Aromas of fresh berries, apricot, vanilla and oak.

On The Palate

A cascade of apricot, berries, vanilla, oak, and a dash of pepper create a compelling and full-bodied whiskey. This Small Batch Select gives a well-balanced and long, satisfying finish.

Best Served

Best enjoyed neat to appreciate its full spectrum of flavours. A superior choice of base for an Old Fashioned.

Pricing & Info

You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.

5. Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch

Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch
Credit: Four Roses

Overview

  • Distiller: Four Roses
  • ABV: 54% (108 Proof)
  • Country: America
  • Colour: Amber
  • Recipes: OBSV, OESV, OESK

Review

Four Roses has a wealth of limited editions, and for this article, I have selected this 108-proof 135th Anniversary Limited Edition bourbon to tempt your tastebuds.

On The Nose

Cinnamon, clove, vanilla and oak

On The Palate

A fruity opening of berries and pear leads to an array of cooking spices and rye mid-palate. The finish on honeyed vanilla and oak is long and lingers gently.

Best Served

Aged for 12-25 years, I highly recommend you enjoy this limited edition bourbon neat, maybe with a splash of water to open it up a little.

Pricing & Info

You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.

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Andrew’s Top Pick

Andrew holding bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon

My top pick is Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon because it offers plenty of rich fruit flavours and underlying smooth oak at an excellent price point.

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Four Roses Recipes, Explained

Four Roses bourbon collection in-store.

I feel that Four Roses is unique in its approach to bourbon production, utilising ten distinct whiskey recipes.

  • The first letter designated by the first letter ‘O’ means this whiskey was created at Four Roses Distillery.
  • The second letter denotes the mashbill: ‘B’ for a higher rye content and ‘E’ for a lower rye content).
  • The third letter, ‘S’, stands for… Straight Whiskey
  • The fourth letter denotes which of the five yeast strains are used: ‘V’, ‘K’, ‘O’, ‘Q’, and ‘F’, each contributing different flavours.

Here is a simple breakdown.

RecipeMashbillYeast StrainVibrant, with rich fruit flavours and mild spices
OBSVHigh RyeV (Delicate)Rich with spice, fruit, and light vanilla notes
OBSKHigh RyeK (Slight Spice)Full-bodied, spicy, with a hint of cherry
OBSOHigh RyeO (Rich Fruit)Robust, full of rich fruit and light spice
OBSQHigh RyeQ (Floral Essence)Floral, with a unique essence and mild spice
OBSFHigh RyeF (Herbal)Herbal, with mint and other herbaceous notes
OESVLower RyeV (Delicate)Lightly fruity, creamy, with delicate rye spice
OESKLower RyeK (Slight Spice)Smooth, with subtle spice and sweet notes
OESOLower RyeO (Rich Fruit)Vibrant, with rich fruit flavors and mild spices
OESQLower RyeQ (Floral Essence)Distinctly floral with a smooth character
OESFLower RyeF (Herbal)Earthy, with herbal nuances and rich fruitiness
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Conclusion

Four Roses Shop Display

What I most enjoyed about discovering the Four Roses bourbon range is their intriguing variety of recipes (see the above table).

Be it solely the full-bodied and spicy OBSV recipe, a combination, or simply a blend of all ten, you are going to find a bourbon that hits the spot.

Each expression, from the classic Four Roses Bourbon to the stellar Small Batch Select, offers a unique whiskey experience that showcases Kentucky’s bourbon tradition.

Also Read: 5 Best Maker’s Mark Whiskies: A Bourbon Love Affair

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Further Reading

Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.

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