SHORT REVIEW: Four Roses Bourbon

Four Roses’ standard entry-level bourbon is produced using a blend of the distillery’s ten bourbon recipes that are created using different mixes of two mash bills and five proprietary yeasts. “Mash Bill B” uses 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley. “Mash Bill E” uses 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% malted barley. The bourbon, like all of Four Roses’ releases, are produced using local limestone-rich water. After fermentation, the distillate is distilled using both column and doubler stills before then going for inspection to distillate holding tanks. Four Roses uses single-story rickhouses to age its bourbons in 53-gallon barrels. Four Roses entry level standard bourbon is bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) and is aged a minimum of five years.

COLOR: Golden yellow-brown

NOSE: Aromas include prominent rye spice & oak/barrel notes with light oak tannins, orchard fruits (peach, pear, & some apple), & light caramel with vanilla.

PALATE: The flavor profile largely mirrors the nose with the addition of some floral notes. There is a sweetness to the flavors, but the bourbon is not overly sweet.

FINISH: Fairly short

MOUTHFEEL: Light, only briefly coating the sides of the glass with an initially buttery/creamy/oily mouthfeel, though the finish comes quickly with the longest-lasting flavors being the oak/barrel, fruit, & spice notes.

PRICE POINT (VA): $25 (750 ml)

VALUE: This is a good introductory bourbon with a pleasant set of aromas & flavors. I use it primarily now for cocktails, for which it serves as a solid whisky base, but it is also a pleasant budget-friendly sipping bourbon.

ALWAYS ON SHELF/BUY AGAIN? Yes