Four Roses Whiskey Review (Four Roses, Four Roses Small Batch, and Four Roses Single Barrel)
In honor of Valentine’s day, I wanted to retell the greatest love story in the industry and taste the amazing whiskies created by their love. When Paul Jones Jr. (the founder of Four Roses) proposed to the love of his life, she told him she would tell him her answer at the upcoming ball they were both attending. If she showed up to the ball wearing a corsage with four roses, it meant her answer was yes. Luck for Paul, his future wife did indeed show up to the ball with her corsage of four roses. Mr. Jones ended up naming his bourbon distillery in honor of that night and as a symbol of the love he has for his wife. I wish I could have met this lovely lady and asked her for relationship advice! Between the romantic story and delicious flavors, I thought that Four Roses would make the perfect valentine’s day tasting.
Four Roses has a sweet butterscotch and honey scent blended with a hint of wood. I tasted sweet floral and grain flavors in the front that transitioned to a spicy finish with a low heat. This would make a great mixing bourbon for an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. It is also my favorite bourbon to use for recipes.
Four Roses Small Batch has a strong scent of spices with hints of grain and caramel. I thought the taste was a bit leathery up front, with hints of fruit and cinnamon, and a strong burn at the end. The taste of cloves lingered in my mouth at the end. This is not a bourbon to take lightly. I recommend this for a more refined pallet that enjoys a little bit of spice in their life.
Four Roses Single Barrel is my favorite of the trio! It has a sweet woody scent up front with a bit of caramel and vanilla. I did not taste the ripe plum the distillery suggests. I found a sweet nutty flavor that reminded me a bit of candy pecans that transitioned to a spicy finish, with a bit of a medicinal flavor on the end. I recommend this to most of my friends that I am introducing to bourbon. It is smooth enough not to scare off a new drinker and the layers of flavors keep it from getting boring.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Please comment, let me know what you thought of my tasting notes, and even better, what you think of these wonderful bourbons. With that, I’m off to yoga. Cheers!
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