My Favorite Whiskey- Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon
By Richard S. Green
What is my favorite whiskey?
Well this week, hands down it is a Four Roses beauty. Pin a rose on me. (I think deserve a prize for this selection!). Better yet, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” an adage from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, where Juliet argues that it does not matter that Romeo is from her family’s rival house of Montague.
The reference is used to state that the names of things do not affect what they really are, or indicate that things are what they are, no matter what name you give them. Maybe it’s just psychological, but the Four Roses Small Batch Select smells floral, like a rose or two. Could just be me. Could be the yeast.
As I referenced in a previous post, this rose was one of the first bourbons that I was introduced to. So, it remains a fan favorite of mine since day one of my bourbon journey. As a new enthusiast or “Tater,” I am always seeking, struggling, and experiencing extreme FOMO (fear of missing out) for the latest highest-hyped bottle of the warm brown liquid. Can’t help myself, but I’m getting better. Got any Blanton’s, anyone? I think I have actually satisfied that craving, finally.
As a resident of Virginia, and originally available during the day (working from home thanks to COVID), I was able to stand in line in the mornings as the truck showed up to one or more of the local State Controlled, Alcohol and Beverage Commissions (ABC) stores, and buy bourbon at MSRP, yes any bourbon at MSRP (great, if you can find it).
Note: The latest word in bourbon whiskey parlance, a “tater” as an enthusiast who perpetuates the category’s newly found hype culture (definition from gearpatrol.com for a bourbon enthusiast).
I saw another definition being the progress from grain to glass, which is really the journey of the bourbon itself, not the man or woman seeking bourbon, so sorry I mentioned it. 🙂 In Virginia you can get most interesting bourbons, and I have collected many bottles of Blanton’s (humble brag) and other harder to find products (e.g., lots of Eagle Rare), and originally I started collecting these bottles of Four Roses Small Batch Select. Then they started showing up regularly, so I didn’t need to do so.
Fortunately, this bottle is relatively easy to find now, once a limited-edition releases. I think it is available for most markets, hopefully it is for you as well. No need to experience FOMO today, unless you have never tried it. Then just a little FOMO until you can get to the nearest store. Hurry I’ll wait.
This bourbon has a lot going on, reminding me a quote for the movie Moulin Rouge, which was described as being trapped on an elevator with a circus. Although nowhere near this extent, of course, but there is a lot going on within this bottle and justifiably so.
The Mashbill- Four Roses Small Batch Select
The Four Roses Distillery uses two (2) different mashbills and five (5) different yeast strains to create ten (10) unique bourbon recipes. With 6 of 10 of these recipes blended together to make this great bourbon, there is a lot going on. The six recipes blended together make up the Small Batch Select – with funny code names – OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, and OESF.
Now the decoder ring- The first letter is always O and designates the production facility, Four Roses Distillery. The second letter designates the mashbill which can be E (75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley) or B (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley). The third letter is always S and designates the whiskey distillation, straight whiskey. The fourth letter designates the yeast strain, which can be V (delicate fruit), K (slight spice), O (rich fruit), Q (floral essence), or F (herbal notes).
This former limited-edition releases from Four Roses is top-notch, and proves itself every bit the equal of any of their limited releases. Made with the distillery’s three (3) different yeast strains it brings a cornucopia of scents from strains V (delicate fruit), K (slight spice), and F (herbal notes). I read a review that liken the following only to the F yeast strain, “it has a perfumed nose, with orange blossom, cedar chest, berries, spearmint, tobacco leaves, sassafras, licorice, and layers of earthy spice.” All of which I can certainly follow.
The Four Roses Small Batch Select, aged a minimum of six years, has a nice punch of proof at 104 (52% ABV), perhaps a bit higher than an average bourbon and more than a good Bottled-in-Bond release.
I’m sure I covered the Bottled in Bond act in another post, so the short explanation here is: Bottled in Bond is a label for an American-made distilled beverage that has been aged and bottled according to a set of legal regulations contained in the United States Government’s Standards of Identity for Distilled Spirits, as originally laid out in the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. All Bottled in Bond bourbons are 100 proof exactly.
In 2019, Small Batch Select launched in Kentucky, New York, California, Texas and Georgia, and is now available in more than 30 states across the country. It has received many accolades along its short journey, but once again the journey of the bourbon itself, not the enthusiast seeking bourbon. It recently received a Bronze in 2022 at the Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon World Whiskies Awards, a 2020 Extraordinary, Ultimate Recommendation, 96 Points at the Ultimate Spirits Competition, and in 2019 a Top 20 of 2019 as #3 from the Whisky Advocate. Just to name a couple.
Four Roses Website for Small Batch Select
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Kirin Brewery Company
Distillery: Four Roses
Release Date: Ongoing
Proof: 104 (52% ABV)
Age: NAS (6-7 years minimum)
Mashbill: Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Color: Light Copper
MSRP: $55 (2019)
Again, this bourbon is a fan favorite for me. Overall sweet caramel, spices of pepper, a little alcohol forward and a nice sweet finish. I really enjoy this bourbon with all that is going on here. I did get a change in 2021 to tour the Distillery in Kentucky, and it was a great experience to see it in person and awesome tasting experience. Their gift shop has some awesome glassware, if you are interested in that sort of thing as well.
THE NOSE
Super sweet with classic bourbon aromas of sweet vanilla, cinnamon and oak as prominent scents. Beyond these is a sweet array of fruit cobbler, toffee, a touch of nougat, and pepper spice. The nose has a pleasant amount of depth and brings forward a nice combination of sweet and fruity. A light Ethanol is there, but not too off putting. With its 104 proof, there is an ethanol presence, which adds to the combination, again a lot going on with this bourbon.
THE PALATE
Thin to medium yet creamy mouthfeel with some proofiness that is welcomed, bringing heat to the front of the palate with lots of clove, flavors of cherry Coke, baking spice, cracked black pepper, honey, orange oil, and toffee. Maybe a little chocolate. Then comes the layers of delightful fruits that blend delightfully with a bold pepper and cinnamon and a little mint. Overall it’s full and satisfying and easy to appreciate. Still a lot going on.
THE FINISH
The spice carries through to the finish, followed by a nice warm vanilla, a little peanut or nougat and slight oak. These flavors hang around for a short Kentucky hug, resulting in a nice medium length finish.
