Four Roses Single Barrel (Vons) Warehouse SN, Barrel 36-4 U

Appearance: Medium Copper-Amber Aroma: Sweet! I often want to say molasses, but this might be that elusive "vanilla" I always hear about but can't quite identify. My partner suggests "candy corn." Some indistinct "fruit" is detectable. After stepping away briefly to let my senses recover, the first sniff back revealed "citrus," specifically orange peel. A pleasant aroma. Taste: (Consumed with an ice cube) The initial sip offers a nice balance of sweet and spicy. A mild warmth spreads through the chest. Oaky, woody, spicy notes are present. I detect a "menthol-like" quality, similar to some other pours, which gives an almost "cooling" sensation on the tongue. This contrasts interestingly with the slight chest warmth. As the ice melts, more nuances emerge, including some "pepper." Finish: This is a rather long finish with spice, oak, and that "cool menthol" characteristic. Concluding Thoughts: This is quite enjoyable. What enhances it further is that my wife surprised me with it this week. A colleague of hers had some bottles on his shelf and gifted her one, knowing I enjoy spirits. It's a solid, textbook bourbon with added complexity. I don't frequently use the word "balanced" in my bourbon reviews, but I will here – this exhibits a very balanced flavor profile. One final note... ignore the "$$$$" price category. I inadvertently entered the price for the Barrel Proof version when creating this bottle entry. It's a bottle in the $50 range. I often question the value of posting a review for a very specific bottle. However, if you are in Southern California and encounter this or any other single barrel selection from Vons/Albertsons/Pavilions... consider purchasing it!