September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, and we thought it would be a great time to explore one of the classics a little more in-depth. Four Roses is a personal favorite of mine, and I’m sure it is for many of you, too. A little mellower on the palate, with floral notes, orchard fruit, honey, and spice, this is not a punch-you-in-your-face line of bourbons. Four Roses bourbons are for sitting back, putting your feet up, and letting time flow slowly by.

 

Four Roses begins in the 1860s in Louisville, KY as the Paul Jones Co. blended and bottled the brand. In 1910, distillation began in Lawrenceburg, KY in a distillery fashioned to look like a Spanish mission. It is a beautiful property, and if you get the chance, a visit is well worth the time. Purchased in the 1940s by Seagrams, the brand was moved exclusively to Europe and Asia by the 50s and became a huge player on the global market.

 

So, how does Four Roses return to being one of the most beloved bourbons in the U.S.? Jim Rutledge. The legendary Master Distiller came to Seagrams in the mid-60s and oversaw their whiskey operations for decades from the headquarters in New York. He longed to return to Kentucky, however, and asked for the Master Distiller job at Four Roses. After that he campaigned heavily to return the brand to the U.S., and in the early 2000s, he got his wish.

 

Four Roses is still distilled in Lawrenceburg, and aged in warehouses in Cox’s Creek. Rutledge left the distillery in 2015, but with the guidance of the late great Al Young and current Master Distiller Brent Elliot, Four Roses has become a powerhouse of a brand. Four Roses’ unique and different recipes yield amazing single-barrel store-picks, and the Small Batch line has become one of the most enjoyed whiskies in the country. If you’re not familiar with it, stop in today and grab a bottle. You’ll be happy you did!

 

Four Roses Straight Bourbon

This flagship bottling is a blend of all 10 of Four Roses’ recipes, and is aged at least 5 years in new American oak in Cox’s Creek, KY. in special single-story rackhouses. Time and cooler temperatures yield a mellow and flavorful bourbon that is great for cocktails or on the rocks. 

Profile: A floral and fruit forward nose features honey and spice as it opens. On the palate, this is soft and mellow, with hints of pear and apple.

 

Four Roses Small Batch

Small Batch is a small blend of only 4 of the Four Roses’ recipes, and is at least 6-7 years old. Mellow balance is the name of the game here, at a respectable 90 proof strength.

Profile: Mellow spices, rich fruit notes, and hints of sweet oak and caramel are found on the nose. The palate follows with ripe red berries, dried baking spice and a soft and long finish.

 

Four Roses Small Batch Select

Select ramps things up a bit. Non-chill filtered and 104 proof, this is a blend of 6 of the 10 recipes. Master Distiller Brent Elliot pays special attention to this blend, as it is the newest member of the Four Roses family, launching in 2019, and Brent’s own special project. 

Profile: On the nose raspberries, clove, and nutmeg are vibrant and lively. On the palate, deep notes of apricot, berries, and vanilla are joined in the fade with spearmint and light cinnamon.

 

Four Roses Single-Barrel

As mentioned before, Four Roses has 10 different recipes. Back in the day, all ten of these recipes were available for single-barrel store-picks. That program has really slowed down post-pandemic, but the OG Four Roses Single-Barrel is as great as ever. Their always-available distillery offering is recipe #1, the OBSV (learn more about that at https://fourrosesbourbon.com/our-recipes/), is aged 7-9 years, and bottled at 100 proof.

Profile: A nose of dried spice, pear, cocoa, vanilla, and maple goes on and on and on. Flavors of ripe plum and cherries is robust with a full, yet mellow, body.

 

Chris Motley - Beverage Specialist