Four Roses Single Barrel OESO Review

Distillery: Four Roses Bourbon – Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Proof: 100 (50% ABV)

Age: Seven to Nine Years

Mashbill: 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

MSRP: $50

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Who They Are

According to Whiskey University, Four Roses Bourbon is the seventh best-selling bourbon brand worldwide and the second most popular in Japan, trailing only Jim Beam.  It stands to reason that many in the Insiders’ Community know the brand and its offerings.  For those unfamiliar, Four Roses uses a unique system of ten recipes, each with its own combination of mashbill and yeast strain.  Many whiskey enthusiasts hold Four Roses’ Single Barrel offerings in high regard.

Available early in 2025, the new Four Roses Single Barrel Collection features four unique recipes.  This review focuses on the OESO recipe, a bourbon highly sought-after by enthusiasts due to its rich, fruity, and spicy profile.

Aged for 7-9 years and bottled at barrel strength, OESO offers a taste of a distinguished expression. With the use of a yeast strain that accentuates rich fruity notes, we can expect OESO to deliver layers of complexity and debt, providing a rewarding tasting experience.

Four Roses Single Barrel OESO Review: Tasting Notes

Nose – 4.5/5

The Nose of this OESO is spirited and inviting. Notes of ripe red cherries, plums, and Honeycrisp apples are followed by softer hints of vanilla and raw honey. A floral goodness with a subtle sweetness—think green tea–emerges.  Understated tones of toasted almonds round out the rich and delicate Nose.

Palate – 4.75/5

On the Palate, this bourbon shines bright.  There is a harmony in the balance of sweetness and spice, with the fruity notes from the Nose carrying through to the Palate.  Flavors of apricots and spiced peaches followed by a slow-to-appear touch of caramelized brown sugar. Mid-Palate, the rye spice begins to emerge, offering a slight peppery kick.  The spice is quickly smoothed by subtle almond notes. The mouthfeel is thick and full-bodied, making this a bourbon to savor neat.

Finish – 4/5

The Finish is toasty and long—remarkably long — as notes of baking spices and a tangy pop of citrus lingering. A slight dryness at the end creates a satisfying conclusion to a well-presented expression.

Value – 4.75/5

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 OESO: The Verdict

Verdict – 4.5/5

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