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.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Andrew’s Top Pick
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.
Four Roses Recipes, Explained
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.
| Recipe | Mashbill | Yeast Strain | Vibrant, with rich fruit flavours and mild spices |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBSV | High Rye | V (Delicate) | Rich with spice, fruit, and light vanilla notes |
| OBSK | High Rye | K (Slight Spice) | Full-bodied, spicy, with a hint of cherry |
| OBSO | High Rye | O (Rich Fruit) | Robust, full of rich fruit and light spice |
| OBSQ | High Rye | Q (Floral Essence) | Floral, with a unique essence and mild spice |
| OBSF | High Rye | F (Herbal) | Herbal, with mint and other herbaceous notes |
| OESV | Lower Rye | V (Delicate) | Lightly fruity, creamy, with delicate rye spice |
| OESK | Lower Rye | K (Slight Spice) | Smooth, with subtle spice and sweet notes |
| OESO | Lower Rye | O (Rich Fruit) | Vibrant, with rich fruit flavors and mild spices |
| OESQ | Lower Rye | Q (Floral Essence) | Distinctly floral with a smooth character |
| OESF | Lower Rye | F (Herbal) | Earthy, with herbal nuances and rich fruitiness |
Conclusion
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
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.
