Agave Spirits+ Journey

This ongoing series of posts builds on my 9 June post, “Brief Reflections on Exploring Whiskies: The Road So Far,” and is meant to highlight whiskies that have profoundly shaped my understanding of the diverse world/s of whiskies and spirits more broadly.

Though a Virginia ABC Sazerac Barrel Select program single barrel of 1792 Bottled in Bond was the first boubon whose flavor profile I actually liked, Four Roses bourbons followed fast on its heels – I still love the brand’s bourbons, particularly how different combinations of its two mash bills and five yeast strains lead to 10 distinct bourbon recipes and flavor profiles.

Four Roses introductory bourbon – the old “Yellow Label” – remains a staple mixing bourbon on my shelf and one that I can easily sip despite having “graduated” and moved on up to the Small Batch, Small Batch Select, and the original Single Barrel (recipe OBSV). The distillery’s characteristic flavor notes of red and orchard fruits, baking spices, rye spice, and varying types of oak are favorites when I’m hankering for a pour of bourbon, something that’s increasing as the autumn progresses and the cool weather rolls in.

I’m still acclimating to higher proof levels (anything above 60-62.5% ABV) and so haven’t yet tried one of the distillery’s Single Barrel – Barrel Strength bottles, but I’m looking forward to the day when I can buy one of those and really appreciate it fully.

Cheers to you, Four Roses, for shaping my understanding of the diversity of bourbon and occupying an important foundational place in my whisky journey.

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The “Milestone Whiskies” Series:

(1) “Milestone Whiskies Series #1: Bruichladdich The Classic Laddie Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky” (26 June 2025)

(2) “Milestone Whiskies Series #2: 1792 Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey” (1 July 2025)

(3) “Milestone Whiskies Series #3: Minor Case Straight Rye Whiskey – Sherry Cask Finished” (6 July 2025)

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1792 Bourbon Agave Spirits American Single Malts American Whisky ArteNOM Añejo Tequila Blanco Tequila Blended Whisky Bourbon Whisky Bruichladdich Buffalo Trace Cocktails Código 1530 (Codigo 1530) Dulce Vida E.H. Taylor Elijah Craig El Tesoro Extra Añejo Tequila Four Roses Gin Glassware Glenlivet Irish Whisky Limestone Branch Distillery Liqueurs Lost Lore Maker's Mark Mezcal Mijenta Mt. Defiance Distillery Patrón Penelope Reposado Tequila Reviews Rye Whisky Scotch Whisky Siempre Single Malt Whisky Spirits Tequila Tequila Ocho Tequila Partida Virginia Virginia Distillery Company Whisky