Four Roses Single Barrel OBSF Review

Distillery: Four Roses Bourbon — Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Proof: 100 (50% ABV)

Age: Seven to Nine Years

Mashbill: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

MSRP: $50

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Who They Are

Four Roses Bourbon, located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, has a storied history that dates to the late 19th century. Founded by Paul Jones Jr., the distillery quickly gained a reputation for producing high-quality bourbon.

Four Roses Bourbon stands as a cornerstone in American whiskey production. Their distinctive approach to bourbon making employs two mashbills and five proprietary yeast strains, creating ten unique recipes. This systematic approach allows for a wide range of flavor profiles and complexities in their expressions. The OBSF recipe is known for its high rye content combined with the use of a yeast strain that imparts a fruity character.

In addition to their Single Barrel expressions, Four Roses produces a range of other bourbons, including their Small Batch and Small Batch Select. Four Roses has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, solidifying its reputation as one of the premier bourbon producers in the world.

Aged for 7-9 years and bottled at 100 proof, OBSF presents a sophisticated interpretation of Four Roses’ masterful distilling approach.

Four Roses Single Barrel OBSF Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4/5

The Nose boldly opens with fresh apple and honey sweetness, quickly followed by vanilla. The high proof asserts itself as a medicinal aroma that carries directly to the senses. Underneath are deep notes of toasted oak and dried cherries. Fresh mint emerges last, creating a Nose profile that leans toward the aggressive side.

Palate – 3.5/5

A medium-to-full bodied mouthfeel with traditional bourbon notes that quickly transition to fresh, clean herbal qualities are experienced on the Palate. The medicinal character of eucalyptus and mint develops mid-Palate. The high rye mashbill shows up through cracked black pepper and clove, while faint notes of sweet caramel and vanilla attempt to provide some balance but come up short. This imbalance between the spice and sweetness creates a challenging experience that may turn off some enthusiasts.

Finish – 3.25/5

The Finish is long and warm, dominated by overaggressive mint notes that gradually fade to a slightly tannic sourness. This sour character lingers well past the peppery spice, creating an unexpected conclusion to the expression.  A couple of drops of water can help to dampen the sour character but it remains influential.

Value – 4/5

Given its complexity and the chance to explore a unique Four Roses’ recipe, the $50 MSRP is pleasantly surprising, making this an affordable premium bourbon.  For those who appreciate a Master Distiller’s art showcased in a single-barrel selection, coupled with its high quality, this expression deserves to sit at the top of my hunting list when it comes to market in early 2025.

Four Roses Single Barrel OBSF: The Verdict

Verdict – 3.75/5

We score each bourbon based on nose, palate, finish, and value.

Scoring System:

• Platinum – 4.5 – 5
• Gold – 4 – 4.5
• Silver – 3 – 4
• Bronze – <3