Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon

A selection from a large retailer. Aged 9 years 5 months. Strong, spicy aroma featuring white pepper, rye spice, oak, and charred barrel notes. Hints of French toast, pear, and butter are also present. Alcohol presence is well-managed. Taste presents caramel flan, toasted oak, herbal tea, tobacco, orange peel, more rye, peppermint, dill, and jasmine. The flavors are intense, yet possess a lively effervescence that becomes somewhat distracting, akin to a bourbon version of Pop Rocks candy. It's missing richness, depth, and critically, harmony. An exceptionally lengthy finish is crisp and lively with baked spices such as black and pink peppercorns, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and clove. It drinks more like a rye than a bourbon. The texture is full-bodied and suitably oily, but the high spice content tires the palate over time. Honestly, while I enjoy spirited whiskies, I found this a bit much. I believe spice should be applied precisely, whereas this is heavy-handed. Perhaps this particular recipe isn't suited to my preferences, though I typically enjoy Four Roses barrel strength bottlings. This will receive the lowest score yet. At its price point, it's definitely not a purchase I'd make again.

“Momma’s” pick OESV aged 10 years 6 months, 57.2% ABV Nose is packed with vanilla and stone fruit (peach, plum, cherry) alongside red delicious apple, blackberry, and just a hint of oak. Ethanol is virtually nonexistent, which is surprising given the proof. However, the overall nose is a bit restrained/muted. Palate improves things with the same notes from the nose but amplified significantly. It's like a fruit cocktail drizzled with vanilla frosting, along with chocolate fudge, flan, and a touch of butterscotch. While not the most complex, it's very well balanced. Finish is long and lingering with Red Hots candy, white pepper, leather, and a noticeable oak presence that appears suddenly. Quite a change from the palate. The heat is present but controlled. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and exceptionally creamy, which is a major highlight that greatly enhances the overall experience. I appreciated the lack of ethanol and the velvety mouthfeel, and while the palate and finish were also very good, it does lack some complexity. That said, I'm nitpicking here as this is an excellent whiskey. I paid $119 and would gladly pay that again for any bottles of this expression.

OBSF // 11 years 3 months // 60.9% First pour after opening Nose: Initially quite light with subtle hints of vanilla, caramel, and mint. After about 15 minutes of breathing, those notes remain in the background, and a rye spice takes center stage (which makes sense given it's from the high-rye mashbill of 4R). Further breathing releases an appealing aroma of fruits mixed with everything else. Each time I smell it again, I detect something new. Highly complex and very satisfying. Palate: If you've tried Little Book Ch. 6, it has a very similar mint/herbal note; followed by rye spice and a mild burn. As you sip, the burn fades completely, but the herbal and rye spice persist. It's incredibly smooth with a pleasant Kentucky Hug. Finish: Medium to long, your tongue tingles for a few minutes, but the flavor disappears before the tingling stops. Overall, I'm personally not overly impressed. Perhaps I'll appreciate it more after it has time to aerate, or maybe this mashbill just isn't for me. Regardless, I can't say this lives up to the immense reputation these bottles often carry.

OBSQ recipe, 56.9% ABV, aged 10 yr 9 mo. The aroma is potent with vanilla, oak, freshly cut grass, an earthy cellar scent, honey, allspice, mint, citrus, and apple chips. The ethanol presence is quite low. The palate is sweeter than the aroma suggested, with caramel, plum, molasses, barrel char, vanilla, cinnamon, and apricot. The flavors are rich. The finish develops a slightly funky character with white pepper, tobacco, fresh leather, clove, nutmeg, tarragon, sandalwood, and a musty/dusty rick house smell. The mouthfeel is absolutely superb; thick, smooth, and creamy. A long-lasting pepper note remains after everything else fades. Bold and distinctive. While not my top-rated recipe among those I've sampled, it remains a top-tier whiskey with remarkable complexity and no discernible flaws. I paid $129, and at that price, it's a constant purchase for these releases. Although not as budget-friendly as, say, an ECPB, this still provides excellent value in the current market.

Picked up from a liquor store promotion and a delivery service. Aged 11 years, 7 months. 60.5% ABV Nose is loaded with good things; sweet corn, rich caramel, nutmeg, white pepper, and woody oak. The only issue is the ethanol is burning my nostrils. A real pity. Taste has a little of everything; fruit, sweet, nutty, and spice. Vanilla/caramel, plum, black cherry, pistachio, cinnamon, allspice, and oak tannins. Flavors hit hard. Extended finish heads toward the spicy with pepper, clove, oak, and rye. A dark chocolate-covered black cherry note remains after everything else, which I liked. Texture is full-bodied and slick. I like Four Roses Barrel Proof offerings, and this one is no different. A complicated and engaging spirit. A couple minor issues but generally fits the profile. I think this cost me $119 and I would purchase it again.

The bourbon's aroma is sweet and fruity, suggesting a similar taste. However, its initial lightness on the palate soon reveals a more intricate character. It begins with a noticeable earthiness, like a flourishing garden, and the subtle fragrance of rose petals gradually appears. The experience concludes with a clean finish, featuring the fresh, green notes of young oak.