Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon (OESO)

OESO (11 yr 11 mo 111.6 proof) vs OBSO (8 yr 11 mo 116.6 proof). Recording the matchup here. Never had either recipe but I’m excited to give it a shot! OESO nose: very dark and sweet nose. Like pure strawberries almost. I can understand why people pay so much for this strain. Delicate but rich at the same time. OBSO nose: honestly very very similar to the OESO nose. Maybe a tiny bit more caramel and spice and a little less fruit forward. Some juicy fruit gum on the second go. OESO palate: holy cow. So rich and bold and super sweet. Very thick mouthfeel. Drinks right at its proof id say. Not as oily as some bourbons I’ve had but this is very good. OBSO palate: sweet initially but a big ol burn from the middle palate to the throat. Not overbearing honestly. Just the rye showing itself. Might be a bit thicker mouthfeel than the OESO but the spice definitely comes through and is significant. OESO finish: honestly a strange finish. A little on the bitter side. But medium/long length. OBSO finish: sweet and a bit minty finish. Medium length. Overall: both are very good bourbons. This matchup probably has the most difference between the two as opposed to the other recipes I’ve tried. For me, I enjoy a little pepper but it’s not my go-to favorite. The mellow sweetness of the OESO wins it for me. Still both are great

New Hanover County ABC pick Barrel No. SN 48-2G Age - 10 years, 2 months 56.4% abv; 112.8 proof Open 2.5 months Nose - Bright vanilla, roses, wildflowers, cinnamon, white pepper, eucalyptus, medium oak, and strong ethanol. Palate - Orange blossom honey, cinnamon, gingerbread, sharp vanilla, and baking spices. Finish is long and oily with sweet and spicy oak, white pepper, honeysuckle, and medium ethanol. Ridiculously good picks that are frequently hard to find in Kentucky sometimes sit on the shelves in NC ABC stores. I got lucky with a new store near my parents in Wilmington, both the Russell's Reserve SiB and this pick were fantastic. In the past I've said Four Roses SBBS are overpriced, but I may make an exception for OESO picks. They are consistently my favorite of the recipes I've tried. As long as it is under $100, I will probably keep buying them.

Rating: 4.12/5 The bottle I'm reviewing is a barrel pick from Mammoth Liquors in KY. Tier 1. 10yr, 2mo. 107.4 proof. Bottled May of 2023. Nose: Red berry compote, blue berry, cedar, slight pine/evergreen, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar. Palate: Warm strawberry, cherry, brown sugar, caramel, vanilla. A lot of notes from the nose carry through to the palate. There is a light amount of rye spice as well. Finish: Red fruit, light oak, cinnamon, rye spice. Medium finish with a solid mouthfeel. Overall: Very fruit forward from the nose to the finish, with a subtle amount of oak and spice to make it a very well balanced drinking experience. There's not a whole lot about this bottle that I can fault, except that the mouthfeel/viscosity is just okay. I really enjoy this specific barrel pick and always have my eye out for OESO picks.

Uncorked pick, "Gallenstein Selection #18" Barrel No. SN 39-3D Age - 9 years, 10 months 58.8% abv; 117.6 proof Open 2 months Nose - Sweet flower petals, caramel, honeysuckle, allspice, fresh rain, white pepper, light oak, and medium ethanol. Palate - Old fashioned candies, rose petal, butterscotch, wildflower honey, and oolong tea. Finish is long with slightly bitter oak, essential oils, lavender, honeysuckle, white pepper, and medium ethanol. This may be the first time I've thought Four Roses SBBS is worth the money. It is delicate, sweet, and floral, without being too savory. Excellent bourbon, but it's tough ponying up for these blind when most have disappointed in the past.

Reviewing a Kroger pick at 8 years, 7 months. Nose is maple syrup and cinnamon. I poured this into a grappa glass, drank half, got distracted by life, and came back an hour later. It has opened up incredibly. Flavor is spicy, peppery, and winey, almost like this has a Pinot noir finish with long-lasting notes of honey and red berries in the finish that just lingers and lingers. With my very last sip of the last few drops in the glass, I was left with a delicious impression of butterscotch pudding. Fantastic

Cork & Barrel, Lawrence, KS, 110pr, 10 yr 1mo, WH-SN, Barrel 48-2R Dark amber color, not especially viscous in the glass. Nose is fresh fruit, apple with vanilla and a hint of pine. Palate hits with apple butter and cinnamon. Pine is in the background. Surprisingly buttery considering the lack of leg in the glass. Finish has a strong bittersweet chocolate. This is a nice whiskey, but not in my favorites for Fouf Roses.