Four Roses Small Batch vs Four Roses Single Barrel

Last Updated on: 9th April 2024, 12:30 am

Dive into a comprehensive comparison of Four Roses Small Batch and Four Roses Single Barrel to identify the differences and find the best bourbon that suits your palate!

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. Four Roses Single Barrel: Comparison

• Four Roses Small Batch: Delivers a nose of vanilla, cherry, and oak, with a palate of vanilla and baking spice, leading to a long finish with burnt caramel. It offers a smooth, balanced experience, perfect for those who appreciate a well-rounded bourbon.
• Four Roses Single Barrel: Presents a nose of baking spice and cherry, a palate rich in cinnamon and rye spice, and a medium finish with caramel. It’s a rich, complex bourbon, ideal for those seeking depth and a spicier profile.

Verdict:

Both bourbons provide quality experiences; the Small Batch is suited for those favoring balance and smoothness, while the Single Barrel appeals to enthusiasts desiring complexity and a robust flavor. The choice between them depends on personal preference for spice intensity and complexity, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

• Do you prefer a sweeter or spicier bourbon? The Small Batch is sweeter with vanilla and cherry notes, while the Single Barrel is spicier with cinnamon and rye.
• Do you mind a higher proof? The Single Barrel is bottled at 100 proof, while the Small Batch is 90 proof. This might affect how smooth you find the bourbon.
• What’s your budget? The Single Barrel is slightly more expensive than the Small Batch.

Related: Best Four Roses Bourbon Selections

Four Roses Small Batch: Smooth & Sweet Flavors

• 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: Elijah Craig

Aroma: Sweet notes of vanilla, cherry, and subtle oak create an inviting first impression, hinting at the flavors to come.

Palate: This bourbon delivers a full-bodied experience, bursting with rich vanilla and caramel flavors alongside a satisfying touch of rye spice. Everything is well-balanced, making for a pleasant sipping experience.

Finish: The long and satisfying finish leaves a minimal burn and a lingering taste of burnt caramel, leaving a positive final impression.

Beyond the Basics:

• Balanced Sweetness & Spice: Four Roses Small Batch delivers a delightful harmony of sweetness and a subtle rye spice kick, creating a smooth and flavorful sipping experience.
• Significant Upgrade: Compared to Four Roses Yellow Label, this Small Batch expression offers a noticeable improvement in complexity and flavor, making it a valuable choice for everyday enjoyment.

Exploring the Depths of Four Roses Small Batch:

• Unique Blend: This bourbon is a masterful combination of four distinct Kentucky bourbons, each crafted with a unique mash bill.
• Diverse Flavor Profile: Two of the blended bourbons use a 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley mash bill, while the other two utilize a 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% malted barley recipe. This combination contributes to the rich and complex flavor profile.
• Proprietary Yeast: Each bourbon in the blend undergoes fermentation with a unique yeast strain, further adding to the diverse flavor profile.
• Aged to Perfection: Each component bourbon ages for at least four years in a one-story rickhouse, allowing the character to develop fully.
• Limited Cask Selection: Adding a touch of exclusivity, only four casks are used for each batch of Four Roses Small Batch.

Learn More: Four Roses Small Batch Website

Four Roses Single Barrel: A Flavorful Bourbon Experience

• Nose: Baking spice, cherry, vanilla, honey
• Palate: Cinnamon, rye spice, vanilla, honey
• Finish: Medium, caramel, baking spice, cinnamon
• Alcohol content: 100 proof (50% ABV)
• How to drink: Add water
• Similar to: Knob Creek Single Barrel

Aroma: Delicate notes of baking spice, ripe cherry, and honeyed vanilla greet the nose, creating an inviting first impression.

Palate: On the tongue, a delightful interplay of tingling rye spice, fruity hints, and a touch of honey mingles with smooth oak, creating a creamy texture and a pleasant warmth.

Finish: The experience lingers with a medium-length finish, leaving behind sweet and cinnamon notes for a satisfying conclusion.

Beyond the Basics:

• Exceptional Value: Four Roses Single Barrel offers surprising complexity and richness at a price point that won’t break the bank.
• Balanced Proof: The 100-proof expression may provide a slight tingle, but the well-rounded and layered flavors easily compensate, making it an enjoyable and affordable bourbon option.

Four Roses Single Barrel: A Closer Look

• Unique Mash Bill: This bourbon is crafted from a unique blend of 60% corn, 35% rye grain, and 5% malted barley, contributing to its distinct flavor profile.
• Aging Finesse: Each bottle originates from a single barrel, aged between 8 and 9 years, allowing the character of the bourbon to develop fully.
• Award-Winning: Four Roses Single Barrel took home the Gold Medal at the prestigious 2012 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, a testament to its quality.
• Japanese Legacy: Owned by the Kirin Brewery Company of Japan, Four Roses Single Barrel reflects a unique blend of American tradition and Japanese innovation.

Learn more: Four Roses Single Barrel Website

What is the difference between Four Roses Small Batch and Single Barrel?

Both bourbons share the same mash composition, but their divergence arises from two key aspects – proof and barrel sourcing.

The Single Barrel variant boasts a higher bottling proof of 100, unlike the 90 proof of the standard variant.

The Single Barrel is also exclusively drawn from a single barrel, while the regular version blends barrels from various sources.

Typically, single-barrel expressions are preferred as distillers select the finest barrels for this bottling, ensuring exceptional quality.

In contrast, blending can sometimes allow less favorable barrels to be masked among the good ones.

Price comparison

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whiskey	Price
Four Roses Small Batch	$36
Four Roses Single Barrel	$50