On this planet of Kentucky bourbon, 4 Roses typically stands out for 2 causes: its lengthy, multifaceted historical past, and its use of 10 completely different bourbon recipes, derived from two mash payments and 5 particular person yeast strains. That breadth of recipes provides 4 Roses many levers to tug in crafting flavors throughout its whiskeys, from the usual 80-proof bourbon to uncommon and coveted limited-edition releases. Certainly, every mixture of mash invoice and yeast strains brings one thing distinctive to the desk — or on this case, mix.
Just lately, the distillery has additionally leaned into single-barrel choices, highlighting particular person recipes in comparison with their mixed impression in batched merchandise. For years, simply a kind of recipes — the hallmark OBSV — was obtainable in common retail rotation; others trickled out as allotted cask-strength retailer picks or restricted present store releases. In 2024, 4 Roses lastly introduced it could steadily introduce extra single-barrel recipes into nationwide distribution, every bottled at a normal 100 proof.
At this time, we’re inspecting — and tasting! — the 4 Roses single-barrel recipes at the moment obtainable nationwide. Although there’s inevitable variation between single-barrel bottlings, every of 4 Roses’ recipes brings readily identifiable traits that, as a rule, carry over from one cask to the following. What follows is a primer on 4 Roses’ inextricable historical past and recipes, adopted by detailed tasting notes for single-barrel recipes which might be broadly distributed as of 2025.
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A Temporary Historical past of 4 Roses
The 4 Roses model claims historical past again to the late 1800s, and the distillery itself — primarily based in Lawrenceburg, Ky. — was inbuilt 1910. It was initially referred to as Outdated Prentice Distillery and continues to be listed beneath that identify on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
In 1943, drinks large Seagram’s bought the model. By the late Nineteen Fifties, the corporate transitioned 4 Roses straight bourbon whiskey to an export-only product. Stateside, the distillery’s merchandise went into blended whiskeys beneath quite a lot of labels. Over time, the variations now often known as the core 4 Roses 10 recipes gave blenders immense latitude in composing taste profiles, particularly when combining with impartial grain spirits and different whiskey from quite a few distilleries. Even throughout this era, 4 Roses’ merchandise and other people nonetheless performed essential roles within the evolution of bourbon all through the latter half of the twentieth century. For instance, within the Seventies, former 4 Roses grasp distiller Charles Beam developed Eagle Uncommon, which now occupies a first-rate spot within the Buffalo Hint/Sazerac portfolio.
4 Roses modified arms a number of occasions within the late Nineties and early 2000s earlier than being bought by Kirin Brewery Firm in 2002. Shortly thereafter, the corporate reintroduced 4 Roses Straight Bourbon to the U.S. market — initially in Kentucky solely — whereas persevering with to provide part whiskey for quite a lot of different firms and types. That reintroduction marked a renaissance for the once-afterthought model.
Since then, the corporate has steadily expanded distribution and launched new merchandise, each domestically and overseas. Merchandise are distilled in Lawrenceburg and aged/bottled about 40 miles away in Coxs Creek.
4 Roses Recipes
Every of 4 Roses’ 10 distinctive recipes is indicated by a four-letter code. All 10 codes start with “O,” which corresponds to “Outdated Prentice.” The second letter is both “B” or “E” and signifies one among two customary mash payments. The third letter is all the time “S,” indicating straight bourbon whiskey. And the final letter — V, Ok, O, Q, or F — signifies the precise yeast pressure used.
4 Roses Mash Payments
4 Roses makes use of two major mash payments — typically referred to as “grain payments” — in its bourbon. Mash Invoice “B” comprises 60 p.c corn, 35 p.c rye, and 5 p.c malted barley. Mash Invoice “E” comprises 75 p.c corn, 20 p.c rye, and 5 p.c malted barley. By basic trade requirements, each mash payments can be thought-about “excessive rye” bourbon recipes, indicating a higher-than-average share of rye used.
In 2024, the distillery confirmed it had begun producing whiskey with two new mash payments. One comprises 52 p.c corn, 43 p.c rye, and 5 p.c malted barley; the opposite comprises 85 p.c corn, 10 p.c rye, and 5 p.c malted barley. Whereas these new grain payments give the distillery much more recipes to work with, it will likely be years earlier than any of that whiskey hits cabinets. So at the moment, we’re specializing in the core two mash payments.
4 Roses Yeast Strains
Maybe probably the most well-known aspect of 4 Roses’ manufacturing course of entails the yeast strains, of which there are at the moment 5 in use.
- V: A “traditional” pressure from which the opposite 4 Roses yeast varieties are derived. 4 Roses says this yeast imparts “delicate fruit” flavors within the whiskey.
- Ok: In keeping with the model, this yeast begets “slight spice.”
- O: Thought-about the “wealthy fruit” pressure.
- Q: A yeast that imparts important “floral essence.”
- F: The 4 Roses yeast yielding probably the most intense natural notes.
The upper-rye 4 Roses recipes are OBSV, OBSK, OBSO, OBSQ, and OBSF. The lower-rye recipes are OESV, OESK, OESO, OESQ, and OESF.
4 Roses Merchandise
These 10 recipes are mixed in varied methods to create the fashionable lineup of 4 Roses merchandise.
- 4 Roses Bourbon (previously Yellow Label): Aged a minimal of 5 years, this 80-proof flagship is a mix of all 10 of the distillery’s recipes.
- Small Batch: Launched in 2006, this product is a 90-proof mix of OBSK, OBSO, OESK, and OESO bourbons, all aged 6-7 years.
- Small Batch Choose: Launched in 2019, it is a 104-proof mix of OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, and OESF bourbons, all aged 6-7 years.
- Single Barrel OBSV: Initially launched in 2004, it is a 100-proof providing from choose barrels of the OBSV recipe, aged 7-9 years.
- Restricted Version Small Batch: The model’s most prized bottle, 4 Roses “LE” is launched yearly and is all the time a singular mix crafted by grasp distiller Brent Elliott. Blends include quite a lot of 4 Roses recipes, usually aged between 12 and 25 years.
- Single Barrel (Different Recipes): Beginning in late 2024, 4 Roses started bottling different particular person recipes at 100 proof and 7-9 years outdated, in the identical vogue because the always-on OBSV bottling. The corporate plans to rotate three recipes every year along with OBSV, which means 4 completely different single-barrel choices can be obtainable at anybody time.
- Barrel Energy Single Barrels: Wish to attempt particular person 4 Roses recipes at barrel energy? You’re in luck — when you’re prepared to do some looking out, that’s. The model releases a restricted variety of single barrels to retailers, golf equipment, and charities every year (relying on state-by-state distribution guidelines).
These selecting barrels are usually capable of decide from throughout all 10 recipes, although in-person picks are completed blind, which means the precise recipes aren’t revealed till the top. That makes for some of the enjoyable — if daunting — selecting experiences anyplace in American whiskey. Moreover, the model releases a curated choice of barrel-strength single barrels at its Lawrenceburg and Coxs Creek present outlets.
The 4 Roses Single Barrel Assortment Information: Recipes and Tasting Notes
Beneath, we’ve gone into element on tasting notes for the 4 recipes at the moment obtainable as customary, 100-proof single-barrel choices. Whereas OBSV is a seamless launch, the OBSF, OESK, and OESO bottlings will rotate out as three new recipes rotate in later in 2025.
OBSV (delicate fruit yeast pressure)
From the primary sniff, that is what I’ve come to anticipate in a traditional 4 Roses profile: pronounced spice meets a medley of stone fruits like peach and pear. Cinnamon sticks and wooden waft out of the glass in comparatively equal proportion earlier than the fruit joins in, and the result’s a fascinating one-two punch that beckons you to stay round awhile. Even at 100 proof, there’s depth and complexity on the nostril at a stage comparatively few producers can hit. The palate places darkish, dried fruits on full show, and whereas flavors range from barrel to barrel, stalwarts like plum and prune are widespread. In distinction to the nostril, spice flavors typically hit second, elevating the expertise into fruitcake and plum pudding territory. The end is mostly composed and oak-forward, with wooden leaving a welcome impression of age on the best way down.
OBSF (natural yeast pressure)
The model steadily denotes this recipe for each delicate rye affect and mint, and it’s robust to disclaim the latter’s presence. The early nostril is paying homage to many rye whiskeys, with some inexperienced, natural notes (mint, dill, minimize shallots, lemongrass) coalescing with baking spice, significantly clove. Relying on the precise barrel, I typically decide up on each mulled apple cider and a few shaved, very darkish chocolate (suppose 90 percent-plus darkish). The palate itself is sort of vanilla-forward with milk chocolate affect (suppose Snow Caps candies). Rye and baking spices fold in after, once more massive on clove, with a continued thread of apple cider. Whereas not probably the most complicated end of the 4 Roses recipes, there’s a pleasant decrescendo of each chocolate and sizzling praline.
OESK (slight spice yeast pressure)
Of the 5 4 Roses yeast strains, Ok might need the milquetoast model description: “slight spice.” And whereas I’ve sampled some barrel energy picks which might be punchy and vibrant on the nostril, the 100-proof model is usually just a little timid at first. It’s obtained a sweeter aroma profile that highlights its increased share of corn in comparison with the B mash invoice, together with nuanced spice that’s nearer to snickerdoodle than punchy cinnamon sticks. A gentle citrus aspect meets gentle tannins for an aroma combo paying homage to solar tea. The palate is a reasonably customary bourbon profile, by which gentle caramel and brown sugar lead with sweetness whereas restrained oak and a contact of black tea lend stability. (On the 7-9 12 months age vary, I nearly discover myself craving extra woody astringency.) The end options maple syrup along with some residual, peppery spice for a remaining act that’s accessible to drinkers of all stripes.
OESO (wealthy fruit yeast pressure)
The “O” yeast pressure is a private favourite. With that bias up entrance, this recipe makes for one of many extra fascinating pours within the 4 Roses lineup. An preliminary scent of Fruit Stripe gum leads into spiced, preserved strawberries. The longer I sniff, the extra fruits I decide up on, from darkish berries to dried apples and apricots, and even some extra unique suspects together with pomegranates and concentrated starfruit. Somewhat menthol lingers slightly below — and actually helps to raise — these fruits on the nostril. Early tastes burst with strawberry and raspberry earlier than settling into fruit-infused egg custard and shortbread. Bitter gentian root builds after a couple of sips and performs a enjoyable tug of struggle with the sweeter, fruity elements. The end is likely one of the most elegant of all 4 Roses recipes, wealthy in each fruit syrup and white pepper. It’s refreshing sufficient to encourage a number of returns to the glass, and sophisticated sufficient to earn them.
