Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 07:59 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover the differences between Four Roses Small Batch vs Woodford Reserve in this head-to-head comparison and decide which Bourbon is better for You!
Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.
Written by: J Highland
Four Roses Small Batch vs Woodford Reserve: Comparison
Four Roses Small Batch: A creamy and complex delight with notes of vanilla, cherry, oak, and baking spice. Its long, satisfying finish makes it perfect for sipping and enjoying the harmonious blend of flavors.
Woodford Reserve: A toast to balanced bourbon bliss, offering rich aromas of mint, honey, vanilla, and citrus. Its harmonious palate combines sweetness, spice, and toasted oak, culminating in a lingering warmth and caramel finish.
Key Difference: Woodford Reserve and Four Roses differ primarily in their mash bills. Woodford Reserve contains 18% rye, while Four Roses elevates it to 25%, resulting in a spicier profile.
Verdict: Both Four Roses Small Batch and Woodford Reserve offer exceptional quality and complexity, making them ideal choices for bourbon enthusiasts. Four Roses boasts a slightly spicier character with cherry notes, while Woodford Reserve showcases a balance of sweetness and spice with a long finish. Choose based on your preference for flavor profile and aroma, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
Related: Top-Sipping Bourbons under $40
Four Roses Small Batch: A Creamy & Complex Sipping Delight
- Nose: Vanilla, cherry, oak
- Palate: Vanilla, oak, baking spice
- Finish: Long, burnt caramel
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Buffalo Trace
Four Roses Small Batch isn’t just bourbon, it’s an experience for your senses.
Aroma: Dive into sweetness, where hints of vanilla, cherry, and oak play in perfect harmony.
Palate: Indulge in a luxuriously creamy texture, where flavors of vanilla, caramel, and rye spice dance together with a touch of oak.
Finish: A long and satisfying journey that lingers with a hint of burnt caramel, remaining smooth and mellow with no harsh burn.
Why you’ll love it:
- Perfectly Balanced: Sweetness and spice find harmony, offering a wealth of nuanced flavors.
- Creamy & Smooth: Luxurious texture pampers your palate for an exceptional sipping experience.
- No Harshness: Enjoy it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails – smoothness awaits in every sip.
Beyond the Sip:
- Four distinct Kentucky bourbons blended into one harmonious masterpiece.
- Unique yeast cultures and aging processes contribute to its depth of flavor.
- Aged for at least 4 years, ensuring maturity and complexity.
- Crafted by the Kirin Brewery Company, steeped in heritage and innovation.
Four Roses Small Batch: Uncork a world of smooth, complex bourbon bliss.
Bonus facts:
- Made with a blend of distinct bourbons, each with its own mash bill and yeast culture.
- Aged for a minimum of 4 years for guaranteed maturity.
- Owned by the Kirin Brewery Company, offering a unique blend of tradition and innovation.
Woodford Reserve: A Toast to Balanced Bourbon Bliss
- Nose: Rich in mint, honey, vanilla, citrus
- Palate: Sweet oak, cinnamon, mint, ripe fruit
- Finish: Lingering warmth and caramel
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Rocks, cocktails
- Similar to: Wild Turkey 101
Craving a smooth, flavorful bourbon with a touch of complexity? Look no further than Woodford Reserve!
On the nose: Breathe in aromas of toasted wood, mint, vanilla, and caramel for a truly inviting experience.
On the palate: Delight in a harmonious dance of sweetness, spice, and toasted oak. Distinct notes of cinnamon, mint, and fruit tantalize your taste buds.
The finish: A gratifying wave of sweetness and warmth lingers long after the last sip, leaving you wanting more.
Why you’ll love it:
- Perfectly balanced: Enjoy a creamy body and a flavor profile free of harshness.
- Complex yet approachable: Sweetness blends beautifully with spice and toasted oak, offering a captivating experience for beginners and seasoned drinkers alike.
- Versatile enjoyment: Sip it neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails – Woodford Reserve shines in any form.
- Award-winning quality: Recognized for its excellence with gold and double gold medals at prestigious competitions.
Woodford Reserve: More than just a bourbon, it’s an experience.
Bonus facts:
- Made with 72% corn, 18% rye, and 10% barley.
- Aged for 7 years with unique heat cycling for controlled maturation.
- Part of the prestigious Brown Forman portfolio alongside Jack Daniel’s and Old Forester.
How do Four Roses and Woodford Reserve differ?
The difference lies in the mash
The key distinction between Woodford Reserve and Four Roses lies in their respective mash bills.
Woodford Reserve is crafted from a mash that comprises 18% rye, while Four Roses increases the rye content to 25%.
This higher rye composition in Four Roses lends it a spicier character, harnessing the inherent nature of the rye grain.
However, it falls short of reaching the level of spiciness found in a full-fledged rye whiskey.
Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
| Bourbon | Price |
| Four Roses | $40 |
| Woodford Reserve | $40 |