Four Roses Small Batch Select

Maker: Four Roses, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA (Kirin)

Style: Mix of standard and high-rye bourbon.

Recipes: OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, OESF

Age: 6 y/o (per hang tag)

Proof: 104 (52% ABV)

Price: $58 (The Party Source)

Appearance: Dark copper.

Nose: Underwhelming. Charcoal smoke with lighter fluid, asparagus, canned green beans, toffee.

Palate: Mild. Brach’s caramels, field mint, burn.

Finish: A little amaretto, burn, fiddleheads.

Parting words: I can’t remember the last time I was disappointed with a Four Roses bourbon, but I’m disappointed with this. First, this is an uncharacteristicly unflavorful Four Roses. It’s strong enough in a Glencairn glass, but it gets totally lost in a tumbler with ice in a way that no 104 proof bourbon should. What flavor is there is unpleasant. I blame the F yeast with its weird minty, vegetal character. I’ve never cared for this strain, especially not the OESF which tastes like something Heaven Hill might dump on the bulk market. My favorite Four Roses expressions have featured or at least included the sexy, floral Q yeast. I understand that its a PITA to deal with for the distillers, but nothing says Four Roses to me than that aroma that was such a big part of the 2008 and 2009 Mariage releases and the 2009 Limited Edition Single Barrel.

It breaks my heart to say this, but Four Roses Small Batch Select is not recommended.