Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon In-Depth Review

The evolution of the Four Roses brand would not be were it is at today without the Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon. In 2006 when this bottle was first released, Four Roses was still only distributed in Kentucky. After a long hiatus of Four Roses not being distributed in the United States at all, Kirin Brewing Company bought Four Roses in 2002 and decided to reintroduce the brand back domestically. At that time only the standard Four Roses Bourbon and Four Roses 100 Proof Single Barrel were available. Four years later the brand expanded and offered the Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon.

What is a Small Batch Bourbon?

A small batch bourbon is a blend of multiple different barrels to target in on a desired flavor profile. These batches of barrels can technically be a blend of two barrels or hundreds! If you see a bourbon labeled Small Batch, remember that this is a blend of different barrels to hone in on specific aroma, color, taste and finish. Bourbons can be bottled, marketed and labeled many different ways to appeal to different consumers.

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Composition

Four Roses Small Batch is comprised of approximately 70% OBSK and OESK blended together with 30% OESO and OBSO. The OBSK and OBSO both share the same high rye B mashbill (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley) but used different yeast strains, K (baking spices) and O (rich fruit). The OESK and OESO both use the low rye E mashbill (75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley) and again use different yeasts (K and O).

Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliot has said that a small amount of the O yeast in a blend goes a long way. Breaking down the tasting notes of these four recipes, they should lead to a bourbon with notes of baking spices melded together with fresh berry sweetness.

The age range of the bourbons used in the blend is 6-7 years old and this clocks in at 90 proof (45% ABV). MSRP for a 750mL bottle is around $30.

Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Review

I poured this neat in a glencairn and let rest for 10 minutes.

Color – Light amber, a dark straw hue 

Aroma – Light spice hits first with hints of rye and cinnamon. On my second go the fresh red berries from the O yeast really shine through and are layered nicely with the spiciness again from the K yeast. I am impressed with the balanced layers of fruit and spice. 

Taste – My palate is hit with baking spices, some light oak on the first sip. There is a nice amount of vanilla on the front of my tongue. Unfortunately there are not as much of the berry notes that I got in the nose. This is a very approachable pour. The palate is mainly baking spices, rye, some alcohol and light fresh oak. I can tell this is a 6-7 year old bourbon. There is a young taste too it (fresher oak note?) that is almost gone but still lingers on the mid and back end of the palate. 

Finish – This has a very light finish with some oak and rye that lingers. Nothing that sticks out. It does slowly work it’s way down give a gentle Kentucky Hug. Decent length but overall very subtle.

Rating – 6.3/10

The nose on this bottle blew me away. The aroma of spice and fresh berries (K and O yeasts) are intermingled perfectly and build on each other. The nose has complexity and balance, but the taste couldn’t hold up and ultimately the younger age and thin mouthfeel lead me to this rating. A solid pour. This wouldn’t be my first choice to drink neat and would lean towards having on ice or making a cocktail.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect