Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon

Taking a quick break from the SDT to get in a bourbon review. I had to do it now because this bottle of Four Roses Yellow Label disappeared faster than any other bottle I’ve owned, simply for the fact that it was $20 and I bought it to drink over ice during gigs. With roughly 2 oz. left in the bottle I figured it’s now or never (or until I buy another bottle). Yellow Label is a NAS Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that is bottled at 40% ABV, is natural color of amber gold and is chill filtered. The nose is harsh at first, even at 40%, but it mellows fairly quickly. Lots of oak, perhaps a bit too much. Cinnamon, clove and spicy ginger. Apples, mint, dill, rye, corn and a bit of anise or licorice, but it’s faint either way. Something reminiscent of raw cookie dough, vanilla and brown sugar. A hint of bubblegum after a while. The palate has a strong oak presence like the nose. Vanilla, toffee and light cinnamon. Light corn, rye and dill. Barrel char, roasted apple chips some pepper, and a distant banana note. Not much complexity here. A medium bodied mouthfeel, a little astringent and dry. The finish is medium long with oak, vanilla, slightly metallic and dry. Good for only $20, but this was meant to be used as a mixer, or at the very least over ice. Drinking neat isn’t exactly a bad experience, but neither is it very enjoyable. Not nearly as complex as it’s more expensive brethren. I’d put this close to or on par with Evan Williams Black Label. 2.5-2.75 Cheers

Tougher finish, decent overall

more like a rye

Spicy and peppery. Floral. Probably not a staple for me.

Very smooth smoky flavor, light oak. Little to no bite. Goes down very easy.