LouisianaLonghorn
Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
February 5, 2021 (edited August 17, 2022)
Well goodness me, between dry January and the irritating paradox of having more work to do when working from home, I nearly forgot to drink any whiskey! Let’s fix that by getting into one of many bottles of bourbon I scored at a year end clearance sale in December. Four Roses Single Barrel is a popular bottle on this platform, and indeed, it was one of the first bourbons I ever purchased. What does it’s more premium shelf mate have in store I wonder?
Wow. This is a totally different bourbon. Good different. Nose has so much. Cedar, wintergreen, rich, spicy oak, cocoa powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice, hint of citrus, and dare I say, some hops! One of the best bourbon noses I’ve come across.
Palate is super mouth coating. There’s that non chill filtering right there. Did you even by that box of cheap chocolates in a cheesy heart box from Walgreens and fish out the caramel coated ones first because they didn’t suck like the rest? (It is almost Valentines Day...). This bourbon tastes like a proper version of those treats. Caramel with milk AND dark chocolate up front, followed by some vanilla, hazelnut, and barrel char. The rye spice shows up on the finish to coat your tongue on the way down your throat, leaving your lips tingling.
Wow. Wow wow wow. First rate stuff, and at $52, a steal. The nose is amazing, and the chocolate caramel thing going on with the palate is just lovely. I forgot to mention the extra long finish with just the right amount of hug. I’m gonna have some fun with this bottle. If you like many Distiller users love the Four Roses SiB, check this one out next. Whereas that one is super fruit forward, this one retains the spice and brings out the dessert flavors. Great drams all around. Cheers!
52.0
USD
per
Bottle
Create Account
or
Sign in
to comment on this review
Bottle Kill Update: Four Roses continues to be a mercurial bourbon for me. Sometimes this was just what I wanted with creamy, milk chocolate and cedar chest notes, and other times the rye was so powerful it became overly astringent. I had similar issues with my last bottle of the Single Barrel (which I do think I still prefer a tick more). I enjoyed this bottle, but I don’t believe I’ll seek out another. I will pick up another bottle of the single barrel when I get back to bourbon hunting again this winter (we’re moving into rum season for me now, and Scotch in the fall). PS- @Ctrexman I still saved you a 2 oz sample!
Well it seems I need to add this FR to my shopping list! Also, @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington , your list is spot on!
@WhiskeyLonghorn I think either this or a FR single barrel, Russel’s Reserve or RB 116, Makers 46 or variant thereof, some form of Elijah Craig, either a Knob Creek store pick, 12y or Bookers, an OF 1920 and a Michters or whatever is available from Buffalo Trace provide a good foundation. Beyond those I think everyone should give MGP and their regional distillers a shot. Time and effort required to go much further might not be worth it to most people. I’m sure my wife would have proffers if I stopped there.
I adore this whiskey. It's closer to $65-70 where I live, but still totally worth it. Keep thinking I need to grab another and soon.
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington now that I think about it, what else would you say should be I. The shelf of any given serious bourbon drinker?
@PBMichiganWolverine that’s right. I think particularly the 2018 or 2019 version. Four Roses has a lower entry proof, so even their CS stuff doesn’t get into BT/JD hazmat range.
@Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington right you are. This is a sleeper hit, and I think we’d all prefer it stay that way so we can keep getting it for $50!
@WhiskeyLonghorn i don’t think I’ve heard of this one...is it a non-cask strength version of their LESB ?
Initially I didn’t appreciate the body and viscosity of this blend but found myself awe stricken by pour 2 or 3. Classic profile, more complexity than $50 should get you, readily available. This should be on the shelf of any serious bourbon drinker.
@BDanner this is a hitter for sure. I’m spending the weekend getting to know it better ;). Definitely an early contender for my 2021 list.
I definitely thought this one was different (and in a good way). Very unique with all the cocoa notes. In fact, it was honorable mention in my whisky list for 2020. I think I might have to revisit this bottle when I get home this afternoon.