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🥃 Review 33: Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon

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Known far and wide for their Single Barrels and limited releases, Four Roses is famous for having 10 excellent recipes across two mash bills from which to create reliably exceptional blends. Master Distiller Brent Elliott works with these like an artist with paints to create the 80 proof Four Roses mainstay, 90 proof Small Batch, and 104 Proof Small Batch Select.

📚Background: Four Roses Small Batch Select has garnered some fantastic rating at spirits shows the world over. While it sometimes get's overshadowed by the warehouse location mania for the slightly cheaper 100 proof single barrel, this bottle is a something of a cult classic for Four Roses aficionados, and good lord does it have plenty of awards!

Four Roses Small Batch Select Awards, all from 2023
All of these awards - just in 2023!

I love the bottle design from the black label to the raised glass four roses logo and carved cork. It feels downright classy.

🛒Sourced: $49.99 Costco, GA 750ml

 I would note that this is a significant step up from Four Roses Small Batch at $29.99 and outpaces the Single Barrel at $44.99. For the extra cost vs the Small batch, you get a little bit more proof, the "select" moniker, and the addition of two extra recipes in the blend. Ages are about the same across all.

🧪Proof: 104 Proof, 52% Alcohol by Volume

🎨Color: R5 - Sultry burnt orange, some legs - I love, love, love the bottle design. Shape is pleasing, embossed roses beautiful, cork top a nice premium touch. 

🥔Mash Bill:   Small Batch Select is a blend of Six of the ten Four Roses Recipes -

  • 1 OBSV - Fruit/Rye
  • 2 OBSK - Rye and Baking Spice
  • 5 OBSF - Rye and Mint
  • 6 OESV - Fruit/Caramel
  • 7 OESK Baking Spice
  • 10 OESF - Grain & Mint
The first letter is always "O" for Four Roses as the distillery. You'll see by the second letter, that both Mash Bills "B" and "E" are used in the blend.
  • Mash Bill B (High Rye) - 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Barley 
  • Mash Bill E (High Corn) - 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Barley

The Third Level is always "S" for straight whiskey. Which leaves, the fourth letter as denoting the yeast strain. Most distillers don't talk much about their yeast, indeed it is a large part of the distinctive flavors between brands. This blend includes yeasts F (Herbal), K(Spice), and V(Delicate Fruit) which leaves out Q (Floral) and O(Rich Fruit).

Distillation proof ranges from 138-140 which they then reduce with water to 120 proof, lower than the legal maximum of 125.

Aged 6 - 7 Years per the website, Lack of age statement is likely due to not wanting the rigor of having to prove this out for each batch. All four roses bourbon regardless of the label ages for five years. Non-chill filtered.

👃Nose: Cumin, orchard wood, warm hay, and honey. Some proof but approachable still. 

😜Palate: Cider, a hint of orange citrus, a flash of rye, and a little bit of sweetness to balance it out. Overall reminds me of a rather dry apple pie. Medium-light mouthfeel. I would describe it overall as being "bright" with something of a mineral quality.

💦Finish: The flash of rye and sweetness persists for a medium duration. I get more wood here than elsewhere in the dram. Potentially a bit of cinnamon to round off our apple pie. Building heat and ethanol tang.

🏆 Overall:  5.5/10 - Good - Based on what I had heard from others, I expected to like it more. After an underwhelming neck pour, I sat on pushing this review until I was halfway through the bottle. A little oxygen did somewhat improve the flavor, tempering an initial abrasive heat but did not holistically change my feelings. For my palate, there may just be too much going on in this bottle. The six recipes seem to almost fight with each other. The apple pie and America flavor profile is intriguing but was not enough to make me want to reach for this bottle regularly. I much prefer the purity of Four Roses Single Barrel and the frugality of the regular Small Batch or Yellow Label since they save me $20. Looking at this bottle from a design perspective, I'm a bit confused. It is priced higher than Single Barrel and has a slightly higher proof but doesn't have a clear theme like their limited releases. All of that being said, if you are a Four Roses fan, I would still pick up a bottle of this to see if it is to your liking. Those that love Small Batch Select, LOVE Small Batch Select, an apparently polarizing bottle. 

💵Would buy again? Doubtful, I'll spend my cheddar on the rest of the Four Roses lineup. 

⚖️Rating Scale: 

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out 
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume it by choice. 
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws | Struggle to get through the bottle
4 | Serviceable | Mixing or ice recommended.
5 | Good | Drinkable Neat | An agreeable dram indeed.
6 | Very Good | Any flaws offset by interesting flavors | A cut above.
7 | Great | You find yourself reaching for this one often | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Serve to Impress Guests | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite | You guard this bottle jealously.
10 | Perfect | You didn't think anything could be this good | A clear champion. 
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