Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

Very smooth for 100 proof

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Daily drinker and great bargain that can always be found on store shelves; overall a heavy fruit (orange, citrus, cherry) bomb tingling the palate with flavors that linger for awhile; very subtle hints of barrel oak; quick explosion of sweetness, some oak and pepper on presentation; caramel, vanilla, cinnamon and sweet nose with some fruitiness present; very rich finish with peppery oak and still lingering citrus. Alot to ponder and explore.

Spicy and sweet

I know it might be hard to believe, but despite being a whisky lover for over twenty years, I’ve never had any Four Roses of any type. I’ve always meant to. A few years back when Small Batch Select was high up on the Whisky Advocate Top 20, I figured I’d purchase it eventually, and the years have passed now, and I haven’t. Always heard the Single Barrel touted as being good stuff and wanted to get around to it, but never did, though the Single Barrel was higher on my list than the Small Batch Select. Can’t say why. Kind of like the bottle design of this one over that one I guess. Cheaper too. But that might have been the other problem: Single Barrel goes on sale around me every two months or so, but the sale is always $1 off, which isn’t much of a sale. I’ve always waited around to see if they’ll give it a $3 off sale or a $5 off sale, but they never do; it’s always $1 off. Well, my birthday is coming up, and I wanted to gift myself some whisky so I bought a bottle of Laphroaig Lore and this Four Roses Single Barrel. Part of the choice here too was @Richard-Davenport reviewing it earlier this week and giving it a 4.25. I read a review on Breaking Bourbon too that gave it a well over average, and decided to finally pull the trigger. Funny thing about the review at Breaking Bourbon is that they describe the nose as delicate and light. It’s certainly dry and oaky to my nose with a bit of spice, reminiscent of rosemary, mingling in with a cherry undertone, and this is right up my alley. The palate itself is nice with an initial hit of caramel and vanilla with oak developing with more time in the mouth, leading to a finish that’s long and spicy. Overall, I’m curious as to how this might compare to other 100 proofs bourbons that I enjoy. This is definitely one where I’m wondering why I waited so long to get to it. Compared to other single barrels I’ve had of a similar proof, I’d say I prefer this to Eagle Rare (which I’ve never felt was anything to write home about) and find it slightly better than Evan Williams Single Barrel if only for the proof points (it’s a moot point anyway, since you can’t get Evan Williams Single Barrel anywhere but the distillery anymore). And while I would definitely take a Knob Creek Single Barrel over this, that’s mainly because Knob is 120 proof but it’s also about $20 more. Actually, I’d kind of like to see how this stacks up against your standard 100 proof Knob Creek small batch 9 year, which has always been a bourbon I’ve enjoyed but it’s also been four years now since I’ve had any, and I think last time I had it, it was the version with the age statement dropped. In any case, this is definitely one I would buy again. The review on Breaking Bourbon had this listed at $40 in 2015, and it’s only $47 in my market now, so I appreciate that it hasn’t skyrocketed in price, and it’s definitely good value for money. The regular Small Batch is on sale for $33 so I might pick that up to see how that stacks up against this, and yes, eventually I’ll get to the Small Batch Select. It’s just that I always feel there’s something I want more at the $60 price point. Hopefully that one doesn’t get jacked up in price before I find time to get around to it. Not sure I’d be willing to spend much more than $60 for it. But yes, the Single Barrel. Out of deference to that @Richard-Davenport review, I will also be coming down with a 4.25 for this, showing some solidary with a reviewer here for whom I have much respect. P.S., I have to add that while I'd totally buy this again, Wild Turkey Rare Breed is $2 more, so it's a tough decision. I actually almost came away with another bottle of Rare Breed instead of this, but I already have a Rare Breed at home in my cabinet so I opted for variety.

FOUR ROSES SHOWDOWN Four Roses Small Batch Select Four Roses Single Barrel (NS 52-1N) I don’t think Four Roses gets enough credit—including from me. A few years back, a local store used to carry Four Roses Barrel Strength Single Barrel Select, and I loved those (they aren’t referenced on the Four Roses website, so I don’t know if they’re still being produced, though they can still be found online). I’m a big fan of the still-somewhat-new Small Batch Select—though I hate saying it, because I don’t want the supply to dry up. And I’ve also enjoyed the various single barrel offerings. I currently have two in inventory: the Small Batch Select (previously reviewed 5/22/22), and this Single Barrel, which I’ve not yet reviewed. Two good candidates for another Showdown. Four Roses Small Batch Select Clear dried orange color, between Pantone 151 and 152. Fruity nose shows dried apricot, tart apple, toffee, sweet honey, Frosted Mini Wheats (despite no wheat in the mashbill), vanilla, a touch of white pepper, and spearmint. Palate shows more sweet toffee, sidestepping the predicted alcohol and moving towards cinnamon, char, white pepper, and vanilla. This might be the smoothest 104-proof bourbon I’ve ever had. But don’t conflate smoothness with simplicity: it’s no small feat to hide 104 proof points under a soft blanket, and there’s several descriptors vying for attention. I’d like to see this proofed up. Four Roses Small Batch Select can be found for under $60. Would I buy it again? Yes. Actually, I’d already done that the first time I tasted it. 4.0 on the Distiller scale. 104 proof. NAS (6-7 years, according to company website). Non-chill filtered. From recipes OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, OESF. Four Roses Single Barrel (NS 52-1N) Same clear dry orange Pantone 151/152 color. Nose shows carrot cake, dried orange, marzipan, apples, vanilla, and some spearmint. There’s a paraffin note that would be consistent with the longer wood aging. A bit of viscosity on the palate, with sweet orange and a pleasant Kentucky hug. There’s some rye spice on the finish, sweet espresso, black licorice, and a healthy dose of oaky vanilla. This Single Barrel is outstanding. It’s got everything: complexity, well-integrated proof, and an easy (and guiltless) drinkability. The various iterations can be found for under $50, which represents high relative value. Would I buy one again? Yes. No question. 4.25 on the Distiller scale. 100 proof. NAS (7-9 years, according to company website). Warehouse NS; Barrel 52-1N. I’ve been a big fan of the Small Batch Select as soon as it was introduced to the market. But I’m surprised that I’m rating this particular Single Barrel higher. Both of these bourbons are excellent, for different reasons. The Small Batch Select is sweet and subtly complex; it is balanced, smooth, and very enjoyable. The Single Barrel shows more differentiated complexity consistent with its longer time spent in barrel; the marginally lower proof also comes across more strongly—and this is a compliment. Both have a strong 100-104 proof, but I’d never use either of these in a cocktail. These are bourbons that are meant to be savored, slowly. N.B.: All spirts tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.