Four Roses has ten different recipes, yielding three finished products; yellow label, Small Batch, and Single Barrel, with the occasional limited edition.

While most distilleries age bourbon in warehouses that are many stories high, Four Roses ages its bourbon in a one-story warehouse to ensure that each barrel is aged in a similar environment.

Interesting note: After Prohibition, Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon became the top-selling bourbon in the United States. In 1943, Seagram’s bought the distillery and a decade later, discontinued the sale of Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon in the United States and used the Four Roses brand name for a blended whiskey made mostly of neutral grain spirits (vodka), ergo, it became a bottom shelf product. In 2002, the distillery changed hands again, and the new owner, Kirin, brought it back to the United States as a straight bourbon. Thanks, Kirin! ?

Company: Kirin

Distillery: Four Roses Distillery

Location: Near Lawrenceburg, KY

Mashbill: OBSV. 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley

Age: NAS. Rumored 8 years

ABV: 100 proof/ 50% alcohol

Released: Ongoing

Price: $35

Color: Dirty blonde with a red tint

Nose: There’s a very slight ethanol burn, after that sweet vanilla, slight oak, and a hint of fruitiness/apple or cherry smell.

Taste: There is some heat upfront, but it’s not super spicy. Then comes caramel, vanilla, a little oak, and some sweetness.

Finish: The finish is smooth and sweet, while a slight dry heat lingers, leaving a warm fuzzy mouth feel. Mmmmmmm.

Overall:  Very drinkable, this is my go-to bourbon if I can’t decide what to drink. It’s really smooth and completely worth the reasonable price. Also, it’s readily available, unlike some other bourbons, especially in Oklahoma. I know when this bottles done, I can grab another just like it (or close to it since it’s a single barrel). You can’t beat that. Shazzam bazzam!

Rating: 4/5