Balance: Solid. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily wowed, but it is certainly well-blended and just works. The wash is then transferred to one of the distillery’s two column stills and heated, causing the alcohol to evaporate, slowly making its way up the still becoming increasingly pure. Reaching the top of the column still, it’s then cooled in a condenser. At this point, the distillate is fairly complete, at around 132 proof, but still requires further purification. The empty Glencairn is a rich and seasoned oak, that is a perfect finish to this four. Very happy. WORTH THE PRICE? With its extraordinary success, this whiskey has earned the respect and admiration of whisky connoisseurs and critics everywhere. In 2017 it was declared as “Best in Class” by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, followed by 2018’s esteemed honor of receiving the “Chairman’s Trophy” at that same event. Furthermore, it scored a remarkable 91 points from Beverage Testing Institute along with being named one of Whiskey Advocate’s Best Bourbons for 2018!

As someone who is a big Bourbon fan I was excited to try this. My go to bourbon is Wild Turkey 101 as it is smooth, yet complex enough to be a great neat sipper. This bourbon has surpassed my expectations and I think everyone needs to experience what Four Roses has brought to the bourbon table!“Mashbill: Undisclosed Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley The 6 resulting liquids are then separately aged in new, charred American oak barrels for a minimum of five years. During this maturation period, each whisky gains secondary flavours and colour from the barrel. To ensure that the whisky is evenly exposed to the oak, the barrels are periodically rotated – imparting the desired flavour and complexity. These two mashbills could then be mixed with a single type of yeast to make two types of bourbon. Instead, Four Roses use 5 different types of yeast, each with their own unique flavour and corresponding letter code. The bottle I’m reviewing today is from the second tier, so it was very close to the floor. That means that it was probably lower in proof and might have had less wood interaction. Will the taste of the distillate come through more? Let’s find out.

Most famous for its signature yellow label, today we’ll take a look at Four Roses’ Small Batch Select and Single Barrel expressions. When selecting either bourbon from their core offerings, it’s important to consider flavour, the complexity of taste, and of course the price tag. Whilst they share similar base ingredients, each has distinct differences in distillation techniques and barrel ageing that really set them apart. From a observational standpoint, Four Roses Single Barrel and Four Roses Single Barrel Private Selection bottles look almost the same. But if you look closer, the differences come into focus. For starters, all regular Single Barrels use the same recipe: OBSV. If you’re unfamiliar with the Four Roses recipe designators, the first and third letters (the O and S) always stay the same. The second and fourth letters change. E recipes use a mash bill of 75% corn, 20% rye and 5% malted barley while O recipes use a mash bill of 60% corn, 35% rye and 5% malted barley. The fourth letter identifies one of five different yeast strains: Q, V, F, O or K. Nose: Just as I was hoping for, the nose is drenched in fruit scents. Grapes, cherries, cooked rhubarb, orange marmalade, lemon custard, watermelon and peaches can all be found. I’m fairly sure I’ve never found most of those fruit scents in a bourbon before, but here they are. Mint jelly combines with caramel sauce and a hint of oak. It’s not the most aged bourbon nose I’ve ever smelled, but it’s level of fruit is off the charts.

In this article, we’ll compare and contrast Four Roses Single Barrel vs Four Roses Small Batch Select to help you decide which one is the best fit for you. Finish: The high-spice nature of the liquid remains with cinnamon and herbal flavors smoldering on my tongue. Fruity notes like citrus and cherry licorice offer a nice contrast, Tannins remain relatively light. Overall, the finish embodies the qualities the whole sip had – namely spice, fruit and herbal flavors. I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian. Bottled in Bond: Under the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a bottled-in-bond spirit must be produced by one distillery in the same distilling season, then aged under federal supervision and cut and bottled at 100 proof.

Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Bourbon that is stored in charred new oak for at least two years. It can be a blend of multiple straight bourbon whiskeys as long as they're all produced in the same state. Only Four Roses uses five yeast strains with two mashbills to create 10 completely different Bourbon recipes. For this Single Barrel product, I always hand select each barrel from the same recipe at the peak of its maturity for its robust and distinctive character. You’ll notice rich aromas of fruit and delicate flavours of apricot and pear balance perfectly with notes of oak, light spice and caramel.” Nose, Palate, and Finish I rank regardless of cost. Value (recent addition) is ranked based on taste vs price. Small Batch: A subjective term signaling a bourbon made using a select number of barrels or recipes in a blended bottling.Mouth Feel: Oily and very soft all throughout the palate. It is the definition of an easy sipper with no surprises. If you’re new to whisky (or bourbon) this section explains the unique aspect of Four Roses’ approach to making their spirits. Distillers Description: “This 10 Year 6 Month old Bourbon was bottled exclusively for the Four Roses Gift Shops. This Bourbon has a nose of vibrant baking spice and clove. Flavors of rich Vanilla and candied fruit fade into a long finish of light mint and caramel. Enjoy!”

Then at mid-range, they have the Small Batch and this Single Barrel offering which are both really solid. I have generally preferred this over the Small Batch in the past but you can get quite a bit of variation with it being a Single Barrel. Heavy on caramel with more cinder toffee and some creamy fudge but all with an enjoyable spiciness from the high rye mashbill at the forefront of the flavor profile. There is some cherry and cinnamon in there too for good measure. This is a very good flavor profile and whilst not super complex you do get a lot of flavors considering the low price this bottle retails at. It’s very enjoyable indeed!Sales continued to thrive, but at the end of the 1950s, in a perplexing move, Seagram’s discontinued Four Roses bourbon in the U.S. Though still available in European and Asian markets, the bourbon didn’t return to American liquor stores until 2002. On the palate, its full-bodied texture is nothing short of smooth. Vanilla, cocoa and honey notes dominate the flavour profile while a gentle smokiness and subtle cinnamon hint leave an unforgettable impression. The finish trails long with sweetness that lingers in warmth; aromas and flavours collaborate to offer a complex indulgence. As caramel sweetens delicately against oak’s smoky spice & cinnamon tang, you’re presented with a pleasing, lingering aftertaste.