Last Updated on June 8, 2024 by Lydia Martin
If you’re a bourbon enthusiast, you know that the name “Four Roses” carries with it a sense of prestige and quality. In the world of American whiskey, Four Roses is synonymous with craftsmanship, tradition, and unparalleled flavor.
As a bourbon connoisseur, I’ve had the privilege of sampling a wide array of Four Roses offerings, and today, I’m thrilled to present to you the bourbon must-have from this iconic distillery.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the best Four Roses bourbon bottles that deserve a spot on your shelf.
Top 14 Four Roses Bourbon Bottles (Ranked)
1. Four Roses 2022 Limited Edition Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: Around $180/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 54.5% ABV
Nose: Cherry, caramel, clove
Palate: Slight spice, nutty, rich fruit
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: The 2022 Limited Edition Roses Small Batch blends flavors in perfect harmony. This bourbon is a good sipper, exhibiting its maturation, leading to a distinctly polarizing yet intricately layered pour.
I like how this limited edition bourbon is filled with delicate fruit flavors and sophistication. The initial pour may pleasantly surprise you due to the bourbon’s maturity and flavor characteristics.
2. Four Roses 2019 LE Small Batch
Average Price: Around $140/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 56.3% ABV
Nose: Vanilla, ripe orchard fruits
Palate: Caramel, spice
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why I Like It: The 2019 LE Small Batch is a masterpiece. Its complex flavors and perfect balance make it a must-try for bourbon aficionados.
“With this year’s Limited Edition we found some exceptionally well-rested Bourbons in some of our higher aged barrels.” – Master Distiller Brent Elliott
This limited edition bottle is non-chill filtered and oil-heavy, but I find it a great concept, although it’s a little complex.
Overall, it has a flawless palate and a long, rich fruit finish – one of the best I’ve tried from the Four Roses Distillery (former Old Prentice Distillery).
3. Four Roses 2018 130th Anniversary LE Small Batch
Average Price: Around $140/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 54.2% ABV
Nose: Rich vanilla, raspberry
Palate: Apricot, oak, hint of mint
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why I Like It: This special release celebrates 130 years of excellence. I like the harmonious blend of flavors dominating the palate.
This LE Small Batch bourbon has a spicy kick, leaning towards a richer and more pronounced taste profile, combining spiciness, oiliness, and oak influences, which provides enhanced flavor.
4. Four Roses 2020 LE Small Batch
Average Price: Around $150/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 55.7% ABV
Nose: Apple, honey, vanilla
Palate: Dark chocolate, mint
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why I Like It: This is a remarkable release as the 2020 Four Roses Small Batch boasts a sublime blend of flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
The two mash bills deliver, but while it’s a delightful experience, its cost doesn’t surpass its worth. Perhaps it’s a better choice to savor at a specialized whiskey bar.
5. Four Roses 2016 LE Small Batch
Average Price: Around $129/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 54.3% ABV
Nose: Floral, honey
Palate: Spiced apples, toasted oak
Star Rating: ★★★★★
Why We Like It: The 2016 LE Small Batch is an outstanding bottle release highlighting the brand’s commitment to quality. The mash bill is a blend of three recipes, creating remarkable tasting notes.
This emerges as one of the finest Small Batch Limited Edition bourbons I’ve had from Four Roses, standing shoulder to shoulder with esteemed counterparts and delivering an unforgettable experience.
6. Four Roses 2017 LE Small Batch
Average Price: Around $130/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 53.9% ABV
Nose: Ripe red apples, vanilla
Palate: Cherry, toffee, graham cracker
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: The 2017 LE Small Batch is a beautifully balanced bourbon with a satisfying depth of flavor. It’s a well-rounded Four Roses bottle, bursting with flavor without being overpowering.
I like the balance of the three recipes (or mash bills) used on this great bourbon. This bourbon has remarkable tingling spice notes (despite the lower rye), giving an immensely enjoyable experience.
7. Four Roses 2017 Al Young 50th Anniversary LE Small Batch
Average Price: Around $150/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 53.8% ABV
Nose: Citrus, spice, floral essence
Palate: Butterscotch, leather
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why I Like It: Commemorating the distillery manager and brand ambassador Al Young’s 50 years with Four Roses, this bourbon bottle is a treat for those seeking complexity and history in a glass.
It’s a delightful succession of sugary delights. Amidst the robust rye notes, there’s a velvety and exceptional quality that deviates from the typical Four Roses characteristics, which I find interesting.
8. Four Roses 2016 Elliott’s Select LE Single Barrel
Average Price: Around $125/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 59.3% ABV
Nose: Oak, toasted nuts
Palate: Dark cherry, tobacco
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: This Rose single barrel bourbon expression is bold and robust, showcasing the exceptional qualities and craftsmanship of the Four Roses Distillery [1].
Elliott’s Select stands out as one of my top favorites for its outstanding tasting notes. Its smooth, Kentucky flavor leaves me yearning for another sip, making it a real treat for the palate.
9. Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel Bourbon (2023)
Average Price: Around $99.99/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 52.8%-60.4% ABV
Nose: Spice, caramel
Palate: Creamy, cinnamon
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why I Like It: The Private Selection offers a personalized experience with numerous variations. It’s an extraordinary exploration of the Four Roses profile.
Single barrel selections remain unblended, so I get to enjoy the distinct flavors and aging nuances of the specific barrel they matured in.
I like how the master distiller carefully reserves a limited quantity of exceptionally smooth and intricate barrels, chosen from among any or all of Four Roses’ ten bourbon recipes [2].
10. Four Roses Small Batch Select Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: Around $61/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 52% ABV
Nose: Ripe banana, pear, vanilla,
Palate: Oak, cinnamon, clove, black pepper
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Why We Like It: This is a fantastic entry-level small-batch bourbon. It embodies the excellence of the Four Roses Distillery, offering excellence at an accessible price point.
Using the distillery’s F yeast strain, this Four Roses Small Batch Select boasts an aromatic nose while maintaining the palate’s profound profile.
It’s a full-bodied, opulent, and wholly gratifying experience for the taste buds.
11. Four Roses Single Barrel
Average Price: Around $45/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 50% ABV
Nose: Vanilla, floral, plum hint
Palate: Rich, dried flowers, honey, mulled wine
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: If you desire a versatile bourbon, try Four Roses Single Barrel. It provides consistent quality and tasting notes, making Four Roses Single Barrel an excellent choice for any occasion.
While Four Roses Single Barrels uses the same recipe, I like the high-rye kick and richness of this single barrel akin to a barrel-proof bottle – without the hefty price tag.
12. Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: Around $30/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 45% ABV
Nose: Mellow, red fruit
Palate: Caramel, sweet oak, caramel, slight spice
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with an approachable profile, try this Four Roses Small Batch Whiskey. It’s a great bourbon when savored neat, over ice, or with a subtle dash of water.
Despite the low price tag, it’s a good sipper with a harmonious blend of robust, spicy notes complemented by the enticing fruit fragrance. The finish is gentle, velvety, and delightfully lingering.
13. Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon
Average Price: Around $20/50ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Soft, floral, apple hint
Palate: Vanilla, honey, a hint of spice
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: Yellow Label provides a taste of Four Roses’ quality at an affordable price. The mash bill comprises two bourbon recipes from the Four Roses Distillery.
If you’re a newcomer or enjoy bourbon occasionally, a bottle of Four Roses Yellow is an ideal introduction.
While it doesn’t have the complexity of other whiskey expressions, it has balance and light character, perfect for beginners.
14. Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Average Price: Around $20/750ml (MSRP)
Alcohol Content: 40% ABV
Nose: Light caramel, spice
Palate: Sweet, clove, cinnamon, mild
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Why We Like It: This expression is the perfect choice if you want a classic bottle. Besides, it’s a staple for mixing and sipping.
This bourbon combines as many as ten unique bourbon recipes, creating a versatile and approachable bourbon whiskey [3] catering to casual drinkers and connoisseurs.
How Many Four Roses Bourbons Are There?
Four Roses offers a diverse range of bourbon Roses expressions, from limited edition senses to budget-friendly options.
As of writing (based on their website), 12 Four Roses expressions are available, including the limited editions and the regular ones.
I just got lucky having tried their past expressions (that’s why I featured 14 on this list). But let’s see if Four Roses will release more soon.
About Four Roses 10 Bourbon Recipes
Four Roses expressions, be it the Four Roses Single Barrel, LE Small Batch, Private Select, Small Batch Select, and the regular bourbon, are crafted with any of the following recipes:
“Four Roses is where bourbon craftsmanship and flavor diversity come together to create bourbon perfection.” – Liquor Laboratory
- OBSV: It is known for its delicate fruit character with a high-rye mash (approximately 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% barley, which is the recipe for the Four Roses Single Barrel.
- OBSK: This recipe has a bit spicier profile, featuring the same mash as OBSV but employing a different yeast.
- OBSO: It has rich and full flavor profile, which uses the high-rye mash.
- OBSQ: It contains high-rye mash with yeast strains, which carries a slightly peppery and spicy character.
- OESV: This recipe contains lower rye content in the mash (around 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% barley), so it’s known for its gentle sweetness and fruity notes.
- OESK: It’s the same mash as OESV but employs different yeast, giving a spicier and more robust flavor.
- OESO: This recipe combines the lower rye with yeast strains, enhancing the fruity and floral aspects of the bourbon.
- OESQ: This recipe is lower in rye, but it’s complex with peppery and spicy notes.
- OBSF: The high-rye mash and yeast strains emphasize herbal notes, providing a unique hint to the lineup.
- OESF: It combines the low-rye mash with yeast strains that contribute herbal and fruity characteristics.
FAQs Related to Best four Roses Bourbon
What makes Four Roses Bourbon unique?
Four Roses Bourbon is known for its high quality and smooth, mellow flavor, achieved through a unique blend of ten different bourbon recipes.
How should I drink Four Roses Bourbon?
Four Roses Bourbon is versatile and can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails like the classic Old Fashioned or Mint Julep.
What makes Four Roses Bourbon different from other bourbons?
Four Roses Bourbon stands out for its use of ten different bourbon recipes, which are combined to create a complex and flavorful final product.
Where is Four Roses Bourbon made?
Four Roses Bourbon is made in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, using traditional bourbon-making techniques.
Can I visit the Four Roses distillery?
Yes, the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, offers tours where you can learn about the bourbon-making process and sample their products.
Are there different varieties of Four Roses Bourbon?
Yes, Four Roses offers several different expressions, including their Yellow Label, Small Batch, and Single Barrel bourbons, each with its own unique flavor profile.
What’s the strongest Four Roses bourbon?
The strongest Four Roses bottle is the 2016 Elliott’s Select LE Single Barrel, boasting the highest alcohol content at 63.25%. It’s a bold and intense bourbon for those who enjoy a robust whiskey [4] experience.
What can you mix with Four Roses bourbons?
Four Roses bourbons are versatile and can be mixed into a variety of cocktails. Some classics include the Old-Fashioned, Manhattan, and Mint Julep.
Experimenting with Four Roses Bourbon, utilizing their five different yeast strains such as OBSV, aficionados uncover a rich palate of flavors including black cherry and nutmeg; the intricate combinations of yeast strains, proof levels, and recipes like OBSV make each sip a journey where every taste makes sense, revealing the second and fourth letters of bourbon’s complexity.
Final Thoughts: Best Four Roses Bourbon
Four Roses stands as a beacon of excellence. From the special release that showcases craftsmanship to the accessible options that cater to all palates, Four Roses offers a range of bourbons worth exploring.
While personal preferences may vary, the Four Roses 2022 LE Small Batch emerges as a standout choice for its impeccable balance and rich flavors.
So, whether you’re a seasoned bourbon connoisseur or a curious newcomer, there’s a Four Roses bottle waiting to delight your senses.
References:
- Four Roses Distillery Celebrates 135 Anniversary With First Global Brand Refresh In Nearly Two Decades
- Uncovering the Four Roses Recipe
- 20 things you never realized about bourbon whiskey
- Whiskey
