Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon

Nose: vanilla, caramel, floral Taste: sweet, smooth, small bite, slightly oily, smooth finish

NOSE: Skinny Slow Moving Legs. Seems Thick and Clingy. Rye Spice leads off. No Floral like I get from SiB. There is an odd Savory/Vinegary note. Creamed Corn. Cinnamon Discs. Old Leather and a Hint of Old Oak. There is a good hit of Alcohol. I wasn't enjoying it until I let it breathe. That allowed Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate Powder and Burnt Sugar to emerge and start to dominate. It also tamed the alcohol sting quite a bit. With time, it became quite enjoyable. NEAT: Great Thick/Clingy mouthfeel. The first sip is all Oak, Sweet on the front and Astringent on the back. The mid-palate is Cocoa Powder and Black Strap Molasses. After a sip or two the Astringency is replaced with Vanilla, Maple, and Cinnamon. A nice Peppery Tingle coats the tongue after a Medium Length, slightly Warming Finish. Oak and Brown Sugar aftertaste that accumulates/builds with each sip. SPLASH: Palate becomes Pink Bubblegum sweet with a hefty dose of Oak. Any Astringency that remained disappears. VERDICT: I was not sure about putting out the $60 for this one. I like the Single Barrel and Yellow Label version of 4 Roses, but I have always found the Small Batch lacking and a little overpriced. In fact I passed on it Wednesday, but pulled the trigger when they still had some on the shelf Friday. I don't regret the purchase because I don't know of another Bourbon with this profile. Very unique and worth a flier if you see it at retail. I wouldn't pay any crazy secondary for it, but definitely worth $60 for an occasional pour.

Happy Four Roses Friday!