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

OESV (10 yr 2 mo 103 proof) vs OBSV (12 year 2 mo 119.4 proof). Documentation here for the matchup. OESV nose: a little darker fruit than the OBSV. Not as full of a nose though. Still very rich. OBSV nose: very lighty berries. Lots of fruit. Rich as well. Strawberry cheesecake. Yessss OESV palate: straight berries from the get go. Kind of hot on the palate though. But I do love the fruit on this. Very enjoyable first time trying this strain. OBSV palate: rich and thick like a Booker’s but more sweet. Not much spice but it does kick at almost 120 proof. Very complex. Some rye does shine through on the second sip but this is very solid. OESV finish: medium/short and sweet. OBSV finish: medium length and sweet as well. Overall: first before I decide which is better I have to say the OBSV 12 yr is SO much darker than the OESV 10 yr. unbelievable how two more years made this one that much darker. I gotta say that the OBSV is also just better. Forewarning, This may not be the case always. The OESV is a generic NC ABC pick and the OBSV is a pick from Shortbarrel in GA (who does amazing picks) so this could go another way in other instances. Nonetheless, kudos to this OBSV pick. Very very good.

A sample as part of the "Whiskey Transfer Program" from dthom. Full disclosure: my first taste of a Four Roses item other than the standard yellow label stuff which I wouldn't use to degrease an engine. A barrel pick from Binny's in Illinois bottled at 60.2%. I don't hate it but wanted to love it as dthom thinks it is excellent. Nose: Heavy ethanol punch, light lemon peel, white sugars, musty wood, and a hint of olive brine. Taste: Sweet and surprisingly oily and thick. Wood heavy on the front which I found surprising. More citrus peel and a little more olive brine on the flavor. Finish: Medium-long with quite a bit of rye spice and a little more olive. I'm getting a lot of olive brine all the way through this whiskey. Weird. Not a bad whiskey but a little one dimensional and too much rye spice for me on the finish. Maybe I just don't like Four Roses? The olive flavors were a little off putting for me.

Total Wine 2020 pick. 10y 8mo. Tier 1. Not a ton of 4R experience, but this is good juice. Rye spice, oak, pepper, buttery nose. Palate confirms the nose with some cherry. Not as rich on the tongue as I’d like with most of the focus being in the center of the tongue. Medium finish. Slightly lacking. More ethanol sting than the proof would suggest. I use the rating scale below. Distiller uses a scale of 5 and I use a scale of 10, but I’m sure you’re not too drunk to do the math! 1. Disgusting - So bad I poured it out. 2. Poor - I wouldn't consume by choice. 3. Bad - Multiple flaws. 4. Below average - Not bad, but many things I'd rather have. 5. Good - Just average. 6. Very Good - Better than average. 7. Great - Well above average. 8. Excellent - In a league of its own. 9. Incredible - An all-time favorite. 10. Perfect

Gomers Kansas City Store Pick, fall 2021, 10 yrs 8 mos, 122.4 proof. Thick legs in the glass. Nose is very sweet and caramelly pit fruit and just a touch of cardamom and clove. Hotter on the palate than I expected based on the nose, as in pepper. The fruit and caramel come forward once the pepper fades. Finish is medium long. I don't usually feel the need to add water to whiskeys of this caliber but since it hit my palate hotter than expected, I added a few drops. The nose got sweeter and the initial pepper dissipated greatly and the sweet caramel jumped to the front. Finish shortens a bit, but still leaves a nice heat in the chest. Not sure which way I like it better. This is based on a fresh open, so I'll leave the bottle alone for a while and come back. Excellent none the less.

Rating: 4.05/5 (9 Year, 9 month. 114.8 proof) Nose: Fresh fruity nose with some floral notes. Strawberry, apricot, cool mint, faint oak. Palate: Fresh strawberry and apricot follow through on the palate. Vanilla, rye spice, brown sugar, and a floral sweetness make this a really nice sipping experience. Finish: Red berries, brown sugar, and oak spice close this one out. Finish is lasting and rich. Overall: Perfect amount of sweet and spice with this one. Really great balance and body. It's a great example of Four Roses fruitiness and it's just delicious. Only knock I can give it would be the pricing ($90) of these barrel strength offerings.

Nose - So sweet off of the those. Lots of bright berry and cherry. Little bit of pear. Little bit of sticky maple. Some peanut notes linger right on top. A little bready, like a loaf od cinnamon raisin toast. Its got some floral notes to accompany those bright fruit notes. Palate - Lots of vanilla and barrel char off of the first sip. Followed by some cinnamon and nuttiness. very light and refreshing on the mouthfeel with notes of black pepper light mint. Finish - Light and smooth with continuous notes of the palate. Really nice and consistent