Four Roses Small Batch Review

Hannah’s Four Roses Small Batch Review

Original review written on August 31, 2019

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

A solid bourbon for the price. Continues to satisfy, even among some of the heavy hitting bourbons that are priced higher. Read my Four Roses Small Batch Review here! 87/100

VITALS:
Four Roses Small Batch Review

– Made in: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Four Roses Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: NAS but believed to be between 4-6 yrs.
– Mash Bill: published on Four Rose website. A mix of “E” mash and “B” mash
E mash: corn=75%, rye=20%, malted barley=5%
B mash: corn=60%, rye=35%, malted barley=5%
– Casks: new charred oak; Char #3 and #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 120
– ABV: 45% (90 proof)
– Price: $33.95 USD in Idaho

Visit fourrosesbourbon.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

For the evaluation, I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn glass with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.

Check out his review for this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This is the bourbon to drink while sitting on a rocking chair outside on a wrap-around porch on a ranch-style house, staring out a growing field of corn. An apple in the hand not holding the bourbon. It’s a peaceful end to a productive day as you watch the sun set in front of you with a dog at your side.

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

NOSE:

Very little burn on the inhale, likely due to a high corn content. Greeted by a yeasty, bread smell with traces of cinnamon. Other soft scents like caramelly, light fruit manage to overtake the bread scent and mingle with a gentle pine wood, hazelnuts, light vanilla, and maple-sugar candy.

PALATE:

– Mouth feel: pleasant, silky, exceptionally clean
– Balance: solid balance – grounded but also refreshing
– Visual: Russetmuscat coloring with short-lived legs but the juice maintains clinging droplets in the Glencairn

– Taste: Strong wood and grass come through on the first sip while not being too spicy. Nice, soft and warming, but not overly so. Between sips, you get a sweet caramel apple to sink your teeth into, probably a red delicious – emphasis on the delish. With a better Kentucky chew, cloves and black pepper burst in, but fade quickly with the apple being dominant.

This bourbon isn’t looking to confuse. It’s got a solid taste that provides uniqueness; however, there isn’t an intense richness.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: long with apples
– No More: The last sips were filled with a sweet softness, almost like hay – not at all unpleasant. The empty Glencairn smells of a very gentle oak, but it’s present

WORTH THE PRICE?

Yes

RATING: 87/100

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Click 87/100 to access other whiskeys with this rating.
To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Four Roses.

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