Tasting notes·Four Roses

Four Roses Single Barrel

The Four Roses Single Barrel is a bourbon that presents whisky lovers with an interesting challenge. With no age statement, but matured for at least seven years in freshly charred American oak barrels, this whisky has a remarkable depth. With an alcohol content of 50% by volume, it immediately shows that it is aimed more at connoisseurs who prefer stronger, spicier bourbon notes.

The panel

Marcel
68
Sascha
73

Mean 70.5 · spread 5

Value for money 4/5

Distillery
Four Roses
Type
Straight Bourbon
Country
USA
Strength
50% ABV
Character
delicate

Tasting

Nose

The very first whiff transports you into the world of traditional bourbon flavours, and the bouquet quickly reveals the promise of this single barrel: fruity, fresh and powerful. The fragrance brings notes of unripe cherries and apricots, which develop an intense, almost tingling flavour. Light caramel and vanilla notes gently round off the whole and create a soft but interesting base, which is given depth by a hint of soft oak and resinous wood. Almost hidden, but unmistakable to the experienced bourbon connoisseur, there is a hint of rye bread - a warm, slightly spicy background that emphasises the traditional character of this bourbon.

Palate

The first impression is surprising: buttery soft and oily, an entry that forms a gentle contrast to the strong nose. But after this brief moment of gentle sweetness, the full power unfolds: spice comes to the fore and remains dominant. The taste of rye and liquorice reveals itself with a strong note that combines with a subtle resinous tone. The oak remains subtly in the background and only emerges sparingly, allowing the other flavours to come into their own. This dramatic turn from sweet to spicy makes the Four Roses Single Barrel an exciting whisky that is not immediately obvious.

Finish

The finish of this bourbon is short to medium-long, but despite its brevity it remains present. Spicy notes and a fine portion of oak accompany the finish, while the strong rye and pepper flavour provides a final, striking exclamation mark. The wood becomes more prominent towards the end and provides a slightly woody but pleasant sharpness that gives the whisky depth without being overwhelming.

Verdicts

Marcel

This Four Roses Single Barrel is like a rough-and-ready character who only gradually reveals his true nature – not the sweetest, but definitely a strong personality that’s a lot of fun and surprises with its spicy kick. A bourbon that won’t please everyone, but precisely because of that, it leaves you wanting more!

Sascha

A well-structured bourbon with a clear balance between fruitiness and spicy rye notes, distinguished by its moderate intensity. The restrained wood influence adds depth without overpowering the overall impression – a solid whisky for lovers of complex bourbon profiles.

What it is worth

We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Four Roses as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.

£1£10£100£1k£10k2005200820112014201720202023

Latest mean bid £163 across 546 lots · 2024-08

Source

Tasting note and scores by WHISKY:EDITION — tasted by Marcel and Sascha, published 2024-11-10.