Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon

Background & The Pour Man's Proof

Four Roses is a bourbon brand with a fascinating, slightly quirky story. While many Kentucky distilleries pride themselves on one signature recipe, Four Roses does things differently. They use two different mash bills (one higher rye, one lower rye) and five different proprietary yeast strains. This mix-and-match approach allows them to create ten distinct bourbon recipes, each with its own character, right from the start. Think of it like a painter having ten unique base colors instead of just one.

The "Small Batch" expression isn't about using just a few barrels; it's about blending four specific recipes chosen from those ten (specifically, recipes OBSK, OESK, OBSO, and OESO, if you want to get nerdy). These recipes are known for balancing spice, fruit, and smoother, richer notes. Bottled at a pleasant 90 proof (45% ABV) and typically found in the $30-$40 range, Four Roses Small Batch has earned a stellar reputation among bourbon fans for its consistent quality, complexity, and unique flavor profile that stands out from the crowd.

Tasting Notes (in Plain English)

This bourbon just smells inviting. It doesn't hit you over the head with spice or oak. Instead, you get a really nice balance. There's classic caramel and vanilla, but also distinct notes of ripe red berries (like cherries or raspberries), maybe some dried fruit, and a pleasant floral hint (like rose petals, maybe?). The rye spice is definitely there – a gentle whiff of cinnamon or nutmeg – but it’s beautifully integrated, not sharp.

The taste follows the nose perfectly. It's incredibly smooth and mellow on the palate, almost creamy. Those red fruit flavors really shine through, alongside the caramel and vanilla sweetness. The rye spice provides a lovely counterpoint, adding complexity without overwhelming heat. There's a touch of oak, but it's well-balanced and adds structure rather than bitterness. The finish is smooth, warm, and satisfyingly long, leaving you with lingering notes of fruit and gentle spice. It's just a remarkably well-balanced and easy-to-sip bourbon.

Final Verdict: Would I Buy It Again?

Score: 4/5 (A Strong "Yes" / Unique Quality & Value)

This is a confident 4/5, a "Strong Yes" on the buy-again scale. Four Roses Small Batch consistently delivers exceptional quality and a uniquely appealing flavor profile for its price. In the crowded $30-$40 bourbon shelf, it stands out because it doesn't taste like everything else. That careful blend of four distinct recipes creates a harmony of fruit, spice, and sweetness that is both complex and incredibly easy to drink.

It doesn't quite hit the perfect 5/5 "run-out-and-buy-it" mark only because it lacks the sheer boldness or age-driven depth of some higher-proof or significantly older bourbons. But that's not its goal. Its goal is to be exceptionally smooth, balanced, and flavorful, and it nails that goal beautifully. It's sophisticated enough to sip neat but versatile enough for a high-quality cocktail. For the "Value-Driven Explorer" looking for a step up in quality and character without breaking the $40 barrier, Four Roses Small Batch is a fantastic, reliable, and unique choice that we will happily buy again.