Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon (OBSQ)

Selected by the Bull City Bourbon Club Barrel ID: RS23-5J Age: 11 years, 4 months Alcohol by Volume: 62.2% Time open: 3 months Nose: Brown butter, plum, custard, honeysuckle, almond, toasted marshmallow, herbal tea, and noticeable ethanol. Palate: Cherry pie, fig, fresh black peppercorn, molasses, allspice, clove, grilled corn, and sweet oak. The finish is lengthy, featuring toasted rye grain, sweet oak tannins, raisins, herbs, clove, and a moderate ethanol sting. The administrators for BCBC are very passionate about Four Roses, and this was the initial selection they arranged for the club. It was anticipated for months. What more could you expect from administrators who possess numerous 4RSBBS selections? This is also my first experience with barrel strength, which is exceptionally hard to acquire in NC. I was fully prepared to be unimpressed. Thankfully, this is an excellent barrel selection. It fits comfortably with many of my other barrel proof bourbons that I regularly consume. What sets this apart from my typical top-shelf choices like Elijah Craig, Barrell, and Jack Daniel's are the smooth and aromatic notes that distinguish it from the standard bourbon profile. Although it shares a very similar mash bill with MGP, it does not have the same taste characteristics. It is certainly a fantastic purchase for $80, but I do not believe it justifies the intense enthusiasm and secondary market pricing that makes it nearly impossible to find in most shops. I place some of the blame on Four Roses; why not offer a standard barrel proof option alongside the single barrels and limited editions?

Received a 2 oz sample from a friend. Information on the barrel, age, proof, price, etc., was lost. Nose - Rose petal, brown sugar, Corn Pops, orange blossom honey, light cinnamon, rye bread, cardamom, light oak, and light ethanol. Palate - Oily, brown sugar simple syrup, coffee cake, cinnamon, black tea, and fresh rye bread. The finish is medium with sharp rye spice, over-steeped black tea, honey, dry cinnamon, clove, oak bitters, and medium ethanol. This spirit is light, creamy, and delicate, with a significant kick at the end. This is unexpected given the sweet, floral notes and the initial sugary palate. Honestly, I believe it detracts from the overall experience; I would prefer to experience those harsher, bolder notes throughout the nosing and tasting. It's still a really good bourbon, but the finish and the reason below lower the overall score. The other reason I've reduced the score is due to the price and scarcity of these bottles. I'm not convinced the hype is warranted, considering they now retail between $90-100 and are still difficult to find without a substantial markup.

Delightful nose, full of cinnamon and vanilla. Palate is so rich, and a big, powerful finish follows it up. Wow. A delicious pastry of a drink.

Nose: Earthy corn funk. Oak, leather, and brown sugar. Palate: Good mouthfeel. Spice transitions to sweetness. Honey and wood spice. Finish: A medium-long finish with spice and drying oak.

A special selection from OBSQ, tier 4 Bounty Hunter. 124 proof. It greets you with floral scents. The taste has less of that. Good rye spice and some fruit underneath. A gentle sweetness and a pleasant medium finish.

This is remarkably close to my ideal bourbon. The aroma is of caramel corn, with hints of cherry sweetness and mild spice on the palate. Highly recommended FR recipe.