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Four Roses is a renowned bourbon distillery based in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, with a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Known for its unique and intricate approach to crafting bourbon. The distillery's commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a loyal following among bourbon enthusiasts. Four Roses consistently delivers well-balanced and flavorful bourbons that cater to a variety of palates.
Four Roses employs two different mashbills and five distinct yeast strains to craft ten unique bourbon recipes. The standard 100 proof single barrel is always the OBSV recipe. Thus, any Four Roses Single Barrel labeled as 100 proof will be OBSV, such as their Secretariat Single Barrel release. This specific mashbill includes 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley, using the "V" yeast strain known for its delicate fruit, spicy, and creamy characteristics. This particular bottle hails from warehouse PN and barrel number 39-1C. Additionally, Four Roses offers single barrel, barrel proof versions of all ten recipes, which are available through private selections or as part of their now-discontinued annual Limited Edition Single Barrel releases. Learn more on how to read a single barrel label here.
Compared to other single barrels on the market, this one stands out due to its pronounced sweetness combined with a high rye content. The balance and intensity of flavors make it a memorable experience from start to finish. The higher rye content creates a flavor profile distinct from those of Buffalo Trace or Heaven Hill. Though I usually hesitate to read a distillery’s description, the Four Roses OBSV recipe truly lives up to its reputation of being "delicate fruit, spicy, and creamy."
At around $40-$50, Four Roses offers excellent value for your money. This bottle is packed with flavor, making it a rewarding purchase. While the Single Barrel line is priced higher than other Four Roses products like Four Roses Yellow and Four Roses Small Batch, it provides a significantly more robust flavor profile. Additionally, despite its moderate price, the standard Four Roses Single Barrel is readily available throughout the year, unlike some other single barrel offerings.
Image credit: WhiskeyPulse
Product Information
- Country: United States
- Company: Kirin Brewery Company
- Brand: Four Roses
- Spirits Type: Straight Bourbon
- Spirits Style: Single Barrel Bourbon
- Age: NAS
- Mashbill: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
- ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
- Warehouse No: NS
- Barrel No: 54-2 G
- Buy it here on Total Wine.
Tasting Notes
Let's dive into the review:
Nose:
The nose opens with a delicate yet complex array of aromas. There's a distinct high-rye character bringing forward light notes of licorice complemented by the sweetness of molasses and vanilla. Fruity scents of citrus and apple, intermingle with herbal nuances like minty wintergreen and eucalyptus. As the aromas develop, subtle touches of strawberry, pecan toffee, and a mix of old and fresh wood come to the fore, rounded off by light ethanol and floral notes.
Palate:
The palate is a well-balanced blend of high-rye spice and sweet flavors. Initial notes of rye spice and honey lead into a medley of orchard fruits, including peaches, apples, and black cherry. A burst of baking spices—cinnamon, clove, and ginger—enhances the experience. The sweetness of caramel, brown sugar, vanilla custard, and maple sugar is balanced by roasted elements like toasted grains and seasoned oak. The flavor profile remains robust yet approachable.
Finish:
The finish is long and evolving, starting with a mild warmth that builds into a spicy heat. It leaves a lingering impression of cinnamon, ginger, and pepper, intertwined with fruity notes of citrus, cherries, and currants. Burnt caramel adds depth, while floral notes and oak tannins provide a dry, slightly bitter edge. The finish encapsulates the whiskey's complexity leaving a satisfying aftertaste.
Overall:
This whiskey is a masterclass in balance and complexity, showcasing a high-rye profile without overwhelming oak presence. The interplay of fruit, wood, and spice creates a smooth, well-blended experience with a depth that surpasses many small batch offerings. It delivers robust flavors with a unique sweetness, making it versatile and easy to sip. Consistent in quality and offering great value, this whiskey stands out for its variety of recipes and private selections, embodying the rich, full flavor typical of Four Roses but with an added richness and a longer, more satisfying finish. Perfect for those who appreciate the nuances of rye influence and the intricate dance of sweet and spicy notes.
Review Comparison
In this section we look at what some others have written about Four Roses Single Barrel.
The Whiskey Shelf Review
- Nose: Initial musty and oaky caramel with vanilla, citrus, apple, and minty wintergreen. Dried citrus, roasted oak, eucalyptus, mint, apple, honey, cinnamon, cocoa, and vanilla cream. Additional notes of strawberry, rosemary, and a mix of old and fresh wood.
- Palate: Honey, apple, vanilla sweetness, oak, cinnamon, and clove. Chewing enhances honey, caramel, cocoa, baked apples, orange, vanilla, and toasted grains. Balanced with roasted notes, apple, orange, and berries, but lacks deep richness.
- Finish: Honey, citrus, floral notes, apple, and oak tannin. Prolonged apple, citrus, mint, doughy alcohol, honey, licorice, cocoa powder, and oak bitterness.
- Overall: Well-balanced and enjoyable, with a good mix of fruit, wood, and spice, though not as rich as top-shelf bourbons. Great value and consistency with some variability due to single-barrel nature.
The Bourbon Culture Review
- Nose: High-rye characteristics with licorice/fennel, fruit (cherry and citrus), pine needles, and cinnamon. Sweet molasses, vanilla, light oak, and leather.
- Palate: High-rye influence with baking spices, citrus, herbal flavors, orchard fruits, and black cherry. Leather, light oak, and balanced flavor profile.
- Finish: Spicy and herbal with cinnamon, fruity citrus, and cherry licorice. Light tannins, consistent with spice, fruit, and herbal notes throughout.
- Overall: High-rye profile, robust flavors, well-balanced. A great option for those who enjoy rye influence without overwhelming oak presence. Easy to sip and versatile.
The Whiskey For The Ages Review
- Nose: Light ethanol, fruit tree blossoms, roasted sweet corn, berries, cherries, currants, fruit leather. Allspice, cinnamon, ginger, rye, brown sugar pastry, vanilla custard, caramel, maple sugar, pecan toffee. Sweet light oak, toasted wood, and barrel spice.
- Palate: Fruit blossoms, roasted corn, drying grain, berry nectar, currants, fruit leather. Savory spices like ginger, pepper, rye, subtle sweets like chocolate chips, vanilla, caramel, and toasted pecan toffee. Dry seasoned oak, hazy toasted barrels, and old dry leather.
- Finish: Light to medium-long, dry and warm with currants, fruit leather, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, bittersweet chocolate, burnt caramel, roasted nutty toffee, and barrel tannin.
- Overall: Solid bourbon with depth and complexity, better than Small Batch, with consistent quality. Smooth and well-blended with a nice balance of flavors.
The Breaking Bourbon Review
- Nose: Delicate and light with cork, dried raisins, vanilla, fresh flowers, and slight alcohol.
- Palate: Initial rye spice, honey, peaches, brown sugar, and light oak. Immediate burst of flavors, coating the tongue with each sip.
- Finish: Long and lingering, starting mild and building to a spicy heat. Flavors of leather, old wood, mint, raisins, cherries, and vanilla-coated peaches.
- Overall: Unique for its sweetness and high-rye content. Well-balanced and flavorful, offering good value. Consistent with Four Roses' profile, with a fuller flavor and longer finish compared to Small Batch. Enjoyable for its variety of recipes and private selections.
The Short Of It
I think I agree most with The Breaking Bourbon Review.
Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon is celebrated for its balanced and complex flavor profile, featuring a high-rye mash bill that brings forward spicy, fruity, and herbal notes. The nose often presents a combination of light fruit, caramel, and subtle spice, while the palate delivers bursts of honey, vanilla, and citrus, complemented by a backdrop of oak and baking spices. The finish is typically long, with lingering warmth and evolving flavors of leather, old wood, and fruit. While not as rich as some top-shelf bourbons, it offers great value and consistency, making it a reliable and enjoyable choice for bourbon enthusiasts.
Watch & Learn
Shop Four Roses Whiskey
About Four Roses
Four Roses, an esteemed name in the world of American bourbon, has a rich and storied history that dates back over a century. Founded in 1888 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, the distillery quickly gained recognition for its commitment to crafting exceptional bourbon. What sets Four Roses apart is its meticulous approach, which includes ten distinct recipes, each created from a unique combination of the distillery's two mashbills and five yeast strains. This diversity of recipes is at the core of Four Roses' identity and contributes to the complexity of its bourbons.
One of the hallmarks of Four Roses bourbon is its dedication to quality and tradition. The distillery adheres to the time-honored processes that define American whiskey production. From fermentation to distillation and maturation, each step is carefully overseen by a team of experts who ensure that every bottle of Four Roses bourbon meets the highest standards.
Four Roses' annual Limited Edition Small Batch releases have become highly anticipated events in the world of bourbon. These releases showcase the craftsmanship and expertise of the distillery's Master Distiller, who carefully selects and blends different batches to create unique and memorable expressions. Each Limited Edition Small Batch is a testament to Four Roses' commitment to pushing the boundaries of flavor and complexity.
The introduction of a 25-year-old bourbon component in the 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon is a testament to Four Roses' dedication to innovation. While bourbon is not typically aged for such extended periods, Four Roses has used this well-aged whiskey judiciously, ensuring that it enhances the blend without overpowering it. This blend, along with its diverse recipes, exemplifies Four Roses' ability to balance tradition and innovation.
Four Roses' Lawrenceburg distillery has also become a destination for whiskey enthusiasts. The distillery's visitor center offers guided tours that provide an in-depth look into the whiskey-making process. Visitors can witness the art of bourbon production, from the mashing of grains to the aging in charred oak barrels. It's an opportunity to immerse oneself in the rich history and craftsmanship that define Four Roses.
As a brand with over a century of heritage, Four Roses continues to be a respected and celebrated name in the bourbon world. Its commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation ensures that each bottle of Four Roses bourbon delivers a unique and memorable tasting experience, making it a favorite among whiskey connoisseurs and collectors alike.
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