Four Roses Single Barrel Collection - OESK Recipe

I walked into my local liquor store for a simple peruse with no (real) expectations of a purchase. Of course I couldn’t resist purchasing this new bottle. It was OESK or OBSF. It could only be one. I will have to circle back for the other at another time. But this purchase is OESK. N: A fragrant opening. Halloween tricks and treats in a glass. Candy Corn, Hershey milk chocolate, caramel apples, waxy Nik L Nips. There is a bit of earthiness that grounds the sweet treats. Straw grass, petrichor and ginger root. P: Unlike the sweet nose, on the draw, the palate begins to tingle with pins and needles. When the zings subsides, baking spices, well balanced, of cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg mixed with orange zest, caramel, vanilla sweet cream. Given time, the dram becomes sweeter and softer while the body remains medium dense and viscous. F: A soft, woody finish with a touch milk chocolate, Irish tea, toasted coconut and a dusting of cinnamon spice. The melange finish sticks around and caps the crescendo of aromas and flavors. O: As with any (good) spirit, time is the friend. This OESK blend, on the palate, starts slightly coarse and spicy. As time progresses, the bouncing, chaotic qualities begin to align and the spirit finds itself and becomes a refined, balanced, easy sipper. From the opening to the finish, an enjoyable ride. [$50][88/100][Tasted: 4/11/25]

I finally got my hands on a bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel OESK the other day—it’s from their latest lineup, bottled at 100 proof—and man, it’s one of those that really highlights why people chase these recipe combos. When I first nosed it, it hit me with a lot of sweetness up front: vanilla, warm baking spices like cinnamon and a bit of nutmeg, plus some nice red fruit notes—cherry and maybe a hint of raspberry. No real burn on the nose, just inviting. On the sip, though, it kicks in with moderate spice right away, backed by solid oak and a touch of char that gives it some grit and depth without going overboard into bitter territory. The char’s there, but it’s controlled, letting the other flavors shine. What surprised me most was the finish—it’s way smoother than you’d expect after that spicier palate. Everything softens up into this long, easy fade of caramel, lingering vanilla, and gentle oak. Super clean and warming, no rough edges at all. All in all, this OESK is balanced and easy to drink neat or with a rock. If you’re new to Four Roses’ ten recipes, it’s a solid place to start, and if you’re already a fan, you know this one’s a favorite for good reason. I’d snag it if you see it on the shelf. I’d give it a solid 92/100. It was a hit at our New Year’s Eve gathering.

Nose offers sweet corn, milk chocolate, cotton candy, baked apple, candied ginger, and a hint of honeysuckle. Ethanol nice and low. Palate bring the chocolate from the nose along with almond, cherry, nutmeg, orange zest, and caramel. Flavors have decent richness and are well integrated. Medium-length finish opens with cinnamon sugar, oak, tea leaf, and mint, with the chocolate from the nose turning into a dusty cocoa powder. White pepper lingers after everything else fades. Mouthfeel full-bodied and slick. Ok this is more like it; much better than the previously reviewed OESO. Offers a good degree of complexity with no real flaws. At $49.99, this is solid enough to justify a rebuy.

An elegant, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Master Distiller Brent Elliott in Kentucky crafted with a mash bill of 75% Corn, 20% Rye & 5% Malted Barley using yeast K. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grains, wood, fruits, nuts, herbs & spices; while a delicate life adds hints of pear, vanilla & brown sugar; that led to a balanced death of medium length with hints of orange zest, oak, honey, cinnamon, peanut & mint. April 2024

I appreciate the rather unrefined heat and spice on it. Full on caramel, a little green smoke. The nose wasn't giving "baking spice" or "tea leaves" to me necessarily. I'd say it was kinda dusty on the nose, but maybe that was just my glass. Body was good but not a bullseye.

Nose: milk chocolate, herbals boted, some tannins Palette: more of thot sweet milk chocolate, apple, some cinnamon, nutmeg, there is a slight rye spice in the finish with baking spices, more swetness oak in the finish. Crushable.