No More: An herbal quality is starting to emerge the further I get into the glass, taking over the bitter component, but still letting the sweetness talk. I find this additional complexity refreshing and welcome, and look forward to how it continues to grow as I continue to sip. Palate – Smooth / creamy / caramel / nutty, a definite rye and a little bit of maple syrup to follow. It has a lot of flavor that you would expect for a great brand’s single barrel offering. It’s full of flavor and not shy to show you.

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.Four Roses have 10 different bourbon recipes which are created with 2 different mashbills and various yeasts. The Four Roses Single Barrrel is from the OBSV recipe. The mashbill is 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley. High Rye: A bourbon with a higher than normal percentage of mash bill made up of rye (as opposed to using more corn, wheat, or barley, the other main grains used in bourbon mash). This tends to produce spicier flavors in the bourbon. 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.

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. The empty Glencairn is a rich and seasoned oak, that is a perfect finish to this four. Very happy. WORTH THE PRICE? If you’re looking for a light tipple, this bourbon is perfect. Its delicate sweetness and spiciness combine perfectly with brie or camembert cheese, cured meats like prosciutto or salami as well as fresh fruit salads. The complexity of the flavours make it stand out when paired with the right foods!When it comes to the finest whiskies, Four Roses is something that springs to mind for many aficionados. This iconic American whisky brand has won countless hearts with its supreme quality and unmistakable characteristics; a perfect recommendation for any connoisseur looking for premium whisky. 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.”

Mouth Feel: Oily and very soft all throughout the palate. It is the definition of an easy sipper with no surprises.During the 1950s, Seagram’s made a strategic decision to end the distribution of Four Roses whiskey in the United States due to diminishing interest in this type of spirit. Surprisingly enough, despite waning popularity domestically – other countries such as Japan continued strong demand for Four Roses bourbon. The main differences between Four Roses Single Barrel vs Four Roses Small Batch Select are fairly distinct, coming down to their mash bills, proof, maturation and filtration process.

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!” At the higher price points, they have the Limited Edition range which are delicious and easier to get hold of than some other premium juice (Pappy & BTAC!).

Tasting Notes

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! 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. Whether you’re looking for a smooth and balanced flavour or a bolder and more robust flavour, Four Roses have something for everyone. Four Roses recipes explained 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. To create Four Roses Bourbon, all ten of the recipes are normally blended together. However there are occasions when not all ten recipes are used. The Q yeast strain is described as having an essence of floral aromas, of which there are two Q recipes, OESQ and OBSQ (one corresponding to each mashbill), which are considered “flavoring recipes.” These recipes make up a small portion of Four Roses’ overall production and consequently a small portion of their standard Four Roses Bourbon blend, typically ranging from 1.5-3.5%. When supplies are short and the desired flavor profile has already been achieved, Four Roses may forgo one or both of these additional flavoring recipes in the blend. As a result the particular blend of bourbon will include as few as eight, but as many as all 10 of the Four Roses recipes depending on the batch. Notably, the bottle never discloses how many recipes were used for the particular blend being bottled.