Four Roses Bourbon

Because I've recently started dating someone who bartends on the weekends for private events, I also have the distinct benefit of having her make me some VERY good mixed drinks when we get together in her off time. But as I started getting into various bourbon based mixed drinks, I slowly started to realize that while I COULD make an old fashioned with Blanton's, Weller or Taylor..... I would likely get struck down by the wrath of God the moment anything other than these lips touch those holy nectars. So I've been exploring some cheap and cheerful Bourbons as of late and this one really brings back memories. I've been drinking Four Roses for years but never bothered writing a review. So here goes... I've never noticed just how funky the nose on Four Roses is. Not gross funk, just different. Yes, there are of course the classic honey and vanilla bourbon notes but then some floral lavender? That's a first. Some citrusy tang accents the nose but hard to put a finger on exactly what citrus fruit. As you take in the palate, sticky sweet corn syrup explodes on the tongue. The palate is almost devoid of anything BUT sweet as honey melts in with that corn syrup and right before giving up on complexity, spice makes a bold entrance from mid to the back of the taste. Baking spice with a slightly numbing peppercorn type mouth feel usher in the finish. The finish is pleasantly long for the low proof and even lower price point. As the spice subsides on your tongue and roof of your mouth, brown sugar and some tannic charred oak bring the experience neatly to an end. Yea, this would be a GREAT bourbon for a Tennessee Mule. The sweet and spice would mix so well with the tart of limes and spice of ginger beer. But all on its own, this should be a dive bar staple.

One of my older bottles in my selection. Nose on this is almost non-existant to me. Part of me feels like a broken record saying I smell the caramel. It is almost like my palate drives to the caramel, I do definitely have a sweet tooth. I smelt the glencairn for nearly 10 minutes but couldn't find anything else. The taste is slightly toasted with the caramel coming in. It is very light. The finish is on the shorter side, given the proof it makes sense.

This is my first bottle of Four Roses, and I have to say, I am pleasantly surprised. Simple nose - vanilla, brown sugar, and a hint of cedar. Like the aroma, the flavors are straightforward - toasty buttered waffles with lots of maple syrup. The finish is oaky and sweet with no burn at all. At less than $30.00 a bottle I will definitely keep this around.

On the nose, it is very light and thin; extremely subtle citrus notes. On the plate the thinness continues; there are citrus and mineral notes but they are gone as soon as they were there; it finishes with a longer note of baking spice but that is thin also. There is not much flavor with any body to it, just thin all around.

I love the fruity nose of the entry-level Four Roses offering. Honestly, I could buy this bourbon just to smell it. Taste-wise, it used to be too rough for me, but I've been into high rye bourbons as of late and tried it again recently. My throat seems to handle the spiciness much better than it used to do so.

Solide bourbon à prix très raisonnable. J’ai été impressionné: j’ai acheté leur Small Batch après avoir goûté à celui-ci. Goût classique de cerise et de vanille avec une finale assez longue pour la gamme. Dommage que cette marque ne soit pas disponible à la SAQ. Acheté en vacances à Cape May en 2024-08.