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

Comparing OESK (10 yr 3 mo, 115.6 proof) against OBSK (9 yr 10 mo, 110 proof). OESK aroma: light and corny. Some caramel too. Appears to be classic bourbon notes. OBSK aroma: initially spicy. More rye present on this aroma. OESK taste: rich. Coats the mouth right away. Very spicy, very bold. Some caramel reappears. OBSK taste: significantly more caramel at first. The spice is certainly there but not as intense as the OESK. Citrusy and zesty notes on the final sips. OESK finish: very long and spicy. OBSK finish: quite long and spicy finish, but not quite as extended as the OESK. Overall: Decent, but not my favorite recipe encountered so far. Both are quite similar. The higher alcohol content seems to enhance the flavors more with this recipe. Both sweetness and spice are present, so I will choose the OESK.

Aroma: A really pleasant aroma with notes of dried cherries, vanilla, light caramel, honey, clove, and cinnamon. Flavor: A very spicy flavor with notes of red berry, cherry, leather, tobacco, pepper, cinnamon, and oak. This has been one of the spicier selections from this distillery I have encountered. Definitely a tongue tingling pour that feels overly spicy considering the proof point. Very solid mouth feel. Finish: The finish is very long, and you guessed it, very spicy. The spice is followed by red berry and a dark/slightly bitter chocolate on the finish. Overall: I really wanted to like this one more than I did, but the spiciness of the flavor and finish detracted from the overall experience for me personally. I seem to prefer the profile of certain recipes a bit more than this one.

Review Date: 2021-11-03. Alcohol by Volume: 58.3%. Age: 10 years, 5 months. Obtained from a specific store for $75. Aroma: Astringent, spicy and peppery with subtle fruit and oak notes, plus vanilla. Overall, nothing particularly strong. Taste: Sweet with mild spice, a hint of burnt sugar, delicate, and faintly floral. Finish: No burn, alcohol dissipates cleanly, light caramel, leaving the palate clean. Notes: An easily drinkable bourbon with floral characteristics. A very enjoyable evening drink. The aroma is somewhat perplexing as it is light and shifts depending on the distance from the glass. In summary, I thoroughly enjoy it. I would certainly purchase it again if I were fortunate enough to find it. Rating: 8.5 (close to a personal favorite, would definitely repurchase).

Nice spirit, but with more rye and I’m not a massive fan of it. I sampled this during an extended evening of bourbon sampling, but I sadly couldn't jot down decent notes. I employ the rating system below. 1. Awful - So poor I discarded it. 2. Unacceptable - I would avoid drinking it. 3. Unpleasant - Numerous imperfections. 4. Subpar - Not terrible, but many other options are preferred. 5. Acceptable - Simply average. 6. Above average - Better than average. 7. Very good - Significantly better than average. 8. Outstanding - In a class by itself. 9. Unforgettable - A personal best. 10. Flawless

I got a sample from a companion. Glass: Glencairn, left to rest for 15 minutes. Appearance: Medium-dark amber. Smell: Vanilla with some botanical notes and a trace of fruit. Taste: Cinnamon and baking spices alongside a generous amount of spearmint and clove. Aftertaste: Extended and quite fiery. Dilution: A few drops of water mellow the sharper notes, but no new tastes emerge. General impression: 8/10 - The finish is the highlight of this spirit, although the spicy palate suggests it could handle ice or a mixer without losing much character. Its rarity prevents me from having it readily available.

This bourbon opens up and evolves an incredible amount over 20 minutes. It was really fascinating going three tastes with it because it was different every time. Listed below in order or aromas and tastes over those 20 minutes. Aroma: sweet grain, honey, pepper, pecan, vanilla, oak. Then it got pretty awesome... melon, citrus zest, orange Flavor: pepper, cinnamon. Strong on the front then tapers to a tannic middle, baking spice, black tea, cedar, wheat.