Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

Recently, I acquired a Four Roses Single Barrel tasting set featuring all ten of their distinct recipes. I discovered that none of them quite match the quality of their established Single Barrel expression, which we now recognize as OBSV 100 proof. I also realized my prior review of this bourbon was from a long time ago. Therefore, I decided to revise my assessment of what is arguably the finest bourbon under $50. The nose opens with sweet and tart cherries immersed in simple syrup, presenting a bright, lively, and sweet character. Dark chocolate and honey-roasted peanuts add depth, accompanied by the emergence of tannic oak. The overall aroma is exceptionally well-balanced. The palate begins with salted caramel, milk chocolate, and a very distinct tart cherry intertwined with tannic oak and leather notes in the mid-palate. A subtle hint of baking spices lightly touches the tongue, preparing for the finish. The finish retains the tart cherry in the background, becoming noticeably more prominent when breathing through your mouth. Tannic oak, leather, and bittersweet dark chocolate dry the finish, yet the sweet and tart qualities of the bourbon remain. This is a superb illustration of what a genuinely good Single Barrel bourbon should be. Its affordability and widespread availability are greatly appreciated. It has been a staple in my collection for years, and I strongly encourage anyone who hasn't tried it to get a bottle and experience it.

Mildly sweet nose of molasses and oak. I also got an unexpected "nutty" whiff. I never thought that distillery was known for "nutty". Perhaps this particular barrel....? Palate: Spicy and slightly sweet; I get some oh-so-slight bitterness on the sides of my tongue; Getting something else... like "linseed oil". Gave me a flashback to my Oil Painting classes up at college. Weird, I know. Finish: Medium; Toasty, spicy, and slightly nutty. For a while, I didn't think I liked that brand at all. But that was at a time when I didn't really know enough to truly know what I liked in a Bourbon. As a more "experienced" sipper, I can say that this single barrel is very good stuff.

[8.30.24] Yes, this is a review posted after the fact. The reality is, I was quite intoxicated from this and several other drinks on Lake Norris to write a fresh review in June. Now that it's nearly gone, it's time to share my thoughts on this 22-G single barrel we acquired at the Liquor Barn in Lexington on the way there. And no, I wasn't operating the boat. This predictable sipper, which I could have easily taken backpacking on the lake, was a reliable choice when I knew guests would want extra bourbon. [We also got a bottle of Broken Barrel, but that's a regrettable story for another time]. This bottle smells of oak and leather but has more fruitiness than others. Adding a couple of ice cubes can quickly transform four fingers from a summer sipper into a full-fledged drink. It pairs well with mint and a touch of maple syrup for a fantastic porch drink during one of the hottest summers I can recall.

This bourbon was last evaluated just over two years ago (11/6/23). As with other single-barrel bourbons, this is a distinct barrel. However, a consistent character remains, most notably the paraffin/wax candy notes. It also presents with dried oranges, carrot cake, dark cocoa, a faint char, refreshing spearmint, and a touch of ethanol. The rye spice is apparent, particularly when compared to the Balcones True Blue Cask Strength and Old Grand-Dad 114 tasted alongside it. The palate has a slight oak presence. The alcohol is a bit more pronounced. It doesn't quite match prior bottles I've sampled, but it remains an excellent value at approximately $50 for a 100-proof bourbon. Will I purchase it again? Yes. Rated 4.0. Warehouse SN. Barrel 37-2T.

Rye Spice, Apricot, Pear, Cinnamon, and Toasted Oak on the nose. Velvety mouthfeel. The Rye Spice is pleasant throughout the sip and is supported with the cinnamon toasted oak note. The apricot and pear come through on the finish. A fruity finish is a nice and pleasant change of pace rather than having oak come through on the finish. Absolutely buy? Yes. Shelfer. One of the best and most affordable bourbons (and single barrels) on the market!

Sweet, fruity aroma reminiscent of faint cherry, with a scent that's almost like sunscreen and dish soap, but not in an unpleasant way. This one has some warmth; I can feel it all the way down my chest. For me, it has a strong cinnamon sweetness, like a Red Hot candy. Flavor-wise, I'm not getting much else, but it's smooth and the mouthfeel is good, not too thin. I also enjoy how the warmth lingers on the palate after it's gone. I truly enjoyed this pour, and it will certainly become a regular in my rotation.