Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Review Archives

Four Roses Single Barrel Review

Posted on 04-September-202128-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Four Roses Single Barrel Review

Original review written September 2, 2021

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

It’s a solid pour and easy sipper with enough complexity to be fun, but enough mellowness that just sitting with it is perfectly enjoyable. 89/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Four Roses Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Single Barrel
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=60%; Rye=35%; Malted Barley=5%
– Casks: Char#3/#4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 120
– ABV: 50% (100 proof)
– Warehouse: RN
– Barrel: 12-5M
– Price: $45.95 USD in Idaho

Visit fourrosesbourbon.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review of this bourbon here!

SETTING:

I picture sitting at the edge of a swamp with Four Roses Single Barrel. The weather is warm, the air clings loosely around your frame and grass waves back and forth as wind and water move through it. It’s relaxing, and it is utterly peaceful and fulfilling, and exactly what you need at the end of a long day.

Photo by Jon L on Unsplash

NOSE:

This smells of roasted corn on the first draw with new leather and some black pepper. There is some sweetness that comes from a bit of vanilla custard and maybe a little caramel and brown sugar. The corn definitely seems like the hero here. Floral notes are here but they are dark and seem like a dark fruit more than anything. Currants and raisins and even a blueberry preserve/jam pop and make the whole nose unique to other bourbons I have had. Otherwise, the nose is quite gentle with little alcoholic burn and just enough oak to assist in mellowing it out even more.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Oily and very soft all throughout the palate. It is the definition of an easy sipper with no surprises.
– Balance: Solid. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily wowed, but it is certainly well-blended and just works.
– Visual: Honey in color, I find a broken crown and no legs.

– Taste: The palate is quite soft with some of the dark fruits from the nose coming through at first, only to be softened even more by dusty corn. Additional sweetness comes from a bit of graham cracker and some light vanilla. It all gets slightly brighter with some citrus zest which also makes it a touch bitter, but not offensively so. There could also be some hazelnuts and floral herbs that contribute to the slight bitterness, but they are very subdued behind the citrus zest. I can’t find much in the way of spice beyond some rye and general brininess that makes the mouth water.

The wood is very mild as is the alcohol, which is impressive for a 100 proof. I can let this sit on my palate and let the wood grow into a little more than sawdust and the alcohol mellow to almost nothing. When I aggravate the whiskey with a Kentucky chew, raisins come through with some bitter hazelnuts, and still a very mild alcohol punch. It’s certainly original and intriguing to the point that I’m repeating the process a few times.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Short-medium. I get a tickle of heat at the back of the palate and a bit of flavor coating the throat but it doesn’t linger terribly long.
– Between Sips: A simple syrup with some sweet oak sit between sips with a hint of floral rose.

– 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.

The empty Glencairn is a rich and seasoned oak, that is a perfect finish to this four. Very happy.

WORTH THE PRICE?

Do I think there are better bourbons at this price? Yes. Do I think this is still worth $45? Also yes. I don’t know if I’d call this a great value bourbon, but I do think it is solidly priced, and you get exactly what you paid for. This is the kind of bourbon to have an experience with and/or just sit with in some peace and quiet. Finding a whiskey that can do both is always a win, and at $45, you can’t go wrong.

FOUR ROSES SINGLE BARREL REVIEW RATING: 89/100

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Four Roses Single Barrel OBSQ Review

Posted on 04-May-202028-June-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Hannah’s Four Roses Single Barrel OBSQ Review

Original review written April 30, 2020

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

With only 160 barrels released as a part of Idaho’s Four Roses Private Select, it’ll be sad when this is gone, as the balance between spices, fruit, sugars and wood is wonderful and keeps me coming back for more. 93/100

VITALS:

– Made In: Lawrenceburg, KY, USA
– Distillery: Four Roses Distillery
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; Single Barrel; Private Select
– Age: 9 yrs. 6 mo.
– Mash Bill: Corn-60%; Rye=35%; Malted Barley=5%
– Casks: Char #3 and #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 120
– ABV: 62% (124 proof)
– OBSQ: Selected by Idaho State Liquor Division
– O: Production at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, KY
– B: Mash Bill “B”, Low Corn/High Rye
– S: Straight Whiskey Designation
– Q: Yeast Strain “Q”
– Warehouse: JE
– Barrel: 15-4L (approximately 160 bottles)
– Price: $69.95 USD in Idaho

Visit fourrosesbourbon.com for more information

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

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

Check out his review of this bourbon here!

SETTING:

This is the perfect pour at a Thanksgiving dinner with every flavor profile of Four Roses capable of pairing with some part of the dinner, from the main course to the pumpkin pie dessert. It’s an easy pour that can only enhance the (hopefully) peaceful atmosphere.

Photo by 🇨🇭 Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum on Unsplash

NOSE:

This has a surprisingly gentle nose for the proof with a fruity, sweet, wine tannin essence being there to greet me. The fruit seems dark, but it’s trick to distinguish further. Underneath it, however, is strong grain – likely rye. Other spices include cinnamon, black pepper, and even salt and cloves. Despite these strong spices, the alcohol still isn’t as stinging as some other bourbons I’ve had. With these spices comes dark brown sugar, chocolate and maple syrup.

There is a heavy and seasoned oak underneath it all, making for a spicy, yet balanced nose overall that is warm and inviting.

PALATE:

– Mouth Feel: Very oily and smooth, but with a sawdust quality to promote chewing.
– Balance: Lots of flavors here, but the blend is seamless and – dare I say – flawless.
– Visual: Mahogany and henna in color, there are evenly spaced thin legs with a short-lived crown.

– Taste: The alcohol, while subdued on the nose, is immediately apparent on the sip, backed by rye and clove. Behind this, I can detect fresh cherries that are even accompanied by cherry blossoms, though the cherries themselves seem more maraschino in flavor.

The dark, sugary scents from the nose aren’t there so much anymore, instead replaced by a dark vanilla. Along with the classic cherry and vanilla, there’s subtle almonds that appear at the back of the palate. (I’ll be honest: it’s possible my brain senses almonds falsely just because such flavor combinations are too perfect to not look for a little bit when one half of the equation presents itself so nicely.)

The wood from the nose is still here also, being like sawdust as I keep having the urge to chew. It’s quite strong, and I do enjoy that depth.

When I do partake in the Kentucky chew, rye, black pepper and salt bloom, followed by a bit by cherries and strangely, an apricot jam at the back of the sip. With it comes a GREAT deal of saliva, a bit of burn, and the urge to repeat.

FINISH:

– Lasting Power: Medium and relatively clean. I actually feel a little let down at the lack of long-lasting warmth with flavors and a proof like this.
– Between Sips: Apricots and cherries linger a little bit, with a drop of alcohol burn that disappears too quickly.

– No More: This continues to mellow out as I go further into the glass, with cherries, vanilla and rye continuing to be the dominating flavors, while other aforementioned tastes seem to have dwindled a lot.

The empty Glencairn has a definitive woody bite to it, along with a cinnamon warming sensation. This could easily be a candle.

WORTH THE PRICE?

At about $70, I’d say it’s worth it. Definitely not $80, but given it’s rarity and balance, it’s a great addition to the bunker, especially for those already fond of the distillery’s productions.

RATING: 93/100

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Four Roses Single Barrel Review

Posted on 29-November-201924-August-2022 by whiskeyfortheages

Brian’s Four Roses Single Barrel Review

review entry 24-December-2017
ameneded 02-September-2021

FOUR ROSES SINGLE BARREL REVIEW:

What a nice bourbon … Was in to pick up a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch and found Single Barrel (4RSiB) on the shelf. I secured a bottle and am glad I did. More depth and complexity than the Four Roses Small Batch … This is a solid bourbon.

FOUR ROSES SINGLE BARREL VITAL STATS:

– Category: Straight Bourbon
– Company: Kirin Brewery Company
– Region: Lawrenceburg, KY, USA
– Distillery: Four Roses
– Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
– Barrel Char: #3/#4
– Barrel entry proof: 120
– Warehouse: R (North side of Rickhouse)
– Barrel #: 12-M
– Age: nas
– ABV: 50% (100 Proof)
– Price $45.95 (USD in Idaho 2021)
($40.95 USD in Idaho 2017)

Four Roses has 10 different bourbon recipes. The 10 recipes are based on different yeast strains and mash bills. The distiller uses two different mash bills, identified by the letters “B” and “E”. Mash Bill “B” is 60% Corn, 35% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley. Mash Bill “E” is 75% Corn, 20% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley. Four Roses also uses five different yeast strains, identified by the letters “F”, “K”, “O”, “Q”, and “V”.

The standard 100 proof single barrel is always OBSV, and consequently if it is a Four Roses Single Barrel and 100 proof then it must be OBSV, consequently 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley with delicate fruit, spice and creamy notes.

Learn more at Four Roses Single Barrel.

ENJOYMENT METHOD:

I enjoyed this spirit neat, from a Glencairn with daughter and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Hannah.

Check out her review of this bourbon here!

NOSE:

A little burn of light ethanol at first waft but the sensation fades quickly into light fruit tree blossoms and roasted sweet corn. The come fruits in the form of red berry nectar, subtle sweet Maraschino cherries, dried currants and fresh dried ruit leather. The fruis are backed by allspice, cinnamon, powdered ginger, and rye. 4RSiB has a yeasty component, but it’s more wine-like than bread but I do sense a bit of brown sugared pastry along with some vanilla custard, buttery caramel, maple sugar, and pecan toffee. There is wood too, sweet light oak, toasted wood and fresh barrel spice.

PALATE:

After my mouth aclimates to the first sip, 4RSiB offers fruit tree blossoms, roasted corn and drying grain. As on the nose, its fruit comes as berry nectar, dried currants and dark fruit leather and the spices are almost savory; ginger, pepper, and rye. Sweets are there but subtle. I get chocolate chips, vanilla, slightly buttery caramel, and dark toasted pecan toffee and the woodiness is of dry seasoned old oak, hazy toasted barrels and an earthy note of old dry leather.

Balance, Body, Feel and Look
4RSiB prickles the tongue at first but easy to hold. It begins viscous, but as I salivate it becomes oily and warm. This bourbon is solid and well blended. After each sip is taken, a curtain of liquid breaks into long clinging legs inside the Glencairn to return the liquid to the honey colored pool leaving behind droplets in an ill-formed crown.

FINISH:

I get an almost a light medium to medium long, dry warm finish. It is hard to believe this is a 100 proof bourbon. As each sip fades, currants and dark fruit leather mix with cinnamon, ginger, and pepper. There are also faint traces of bittersweet chocolate, burnt caramel, dark roasted nutty toffee in 4RSiB’s dry seasoned old oak and hazy toasted barrel finish. This bourbon leaves my mouth with a feeling of of barrel tannin.

MY RATING: 90/100

Will I buy this whiskey again? YES
I first reviewed Four Roses Single Barrel in December of 2017. I’ve had pours since then, and even bottles in the bunker. I will be reaching for this one again … soon.
_{Click to read Brian’s scoring process.}

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WHISKEY TRAITS, FLAVOR NOTES AND PROFILE GRAPH:

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