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.
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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To access other whiskies from this distillery, click Four Roses.
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