Four Roses Small Batch Select is crafted from six unique bourbons. Four Roses uses 2 different mashbills along with 5 different yeast strains in order to create 10 unique bourbon recipes. Out of those 10 recipes 6 are blended together to make Small Batch Select – OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, and OESF.
Understanding the recipes can be explained in the letters. The first letter is always O which designates the production facility, Four Roses Distillery. The second letter designates the mashbill which can be E (75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley) or B (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley). The third letter is always the same, the letter S designates the whiskey distillation, straight whiskey. The fourth letter designates the yeast strain, which can be V (delicate fruit), K (slight spice), O (rich fruit), Q (floral essence), or F (herbal notes).
Bourbon Review: Four Roses Small Batch Select
ABV: 52% (104 Poof)
Type: Bourbon
Age: 6-7 Years Minimum
Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley & 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Distillery: Four Roses
Location:Lawrenceburg, KY (USA)
The Nose: The aroma from the glass serves up watermelon and other summer fruits such as peaches and plums. Secondary pulls from the glass sees the addition of vanilla, oak and cinnamon.
The Taste: The summer fruits from the aroma shine on the first sip of the Four Roses Small Batch Select with hints of watermelon and peaches before giving way to a rye finish. A secondary sip sees nuances of vanilla, oak and leather. There is a nice oily mouthfeel on this bourbon as well with a long finish of a rye that gives way to a lingering vanilla.
Conclusion: Four Roses Small Batch Select has been around since at least 2009, however living in New Hampshire you would have never known. The state liquor commission didn’t bring it in until this year for whatever reason which is frustrating for those who choose to shop in state. With that said, this bourbon was well worth the weight. It’s wonderfully complex in both aroma and flavor. This north of 100 proof bourbon is a perfect starting point for someone looking to venture into high proof libations.
Score: 93
Price: $65.99 (750 ml in New Hampshire)
