It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve done a good old-fashioned Bourbon review, something to remind the folks at home that while I may travel the world of spirits – my heart beats to the ol’ red, white, and blue. I’ve tried many Four Roses (Recall having a flight of them during a business trip in Kentucky), but having not reviewed them – let’s put them on the board.
I admit that yes I do like this whiskey – it doesn’t capture that spirit I walked in the store to acquire. This feels less like an American bourbon, and more a calculated blend calling itself a small batch in order to limit availability and raise pricing more than a true small batch nature.
What they Say: “The four original and proprietary Bourbons used to create this small batch Bourbon are expertly selected and mingled by our Master Distiller to reward you with a mellow symphony of sweet, fruity aromas and rich, spicy flavors.”
Taste: 3.0 – Where is the whiskey?
Aftertaste: 6.5 – Okay there it is, but still, this is subtle.
Burn/Smooth: 7.0 – No burn here (keeping in line with subtly), but the warmth is nice.
Aroma: 6.5 – I feel like this singed a few nose hairs, but god the smell is lovely.
Honesty: 7.0 – None of that feels like a lie in the literature. The bottle and Four Roses name is also enough to sawy some points in its favor.
Mixability: 6.0
W/ Rocks: 6.0 – This mercifully blends the taste and aftertaste into a single product so you don’t get that disconnect; however the end product is still not great.
Value: 5.0 – For a small batch bourbon – that’s actually not a bad price – however small batches often tend to be a characteristic whiskey instead of this which feels more like what it is – a good mellow blend.
Google Shop Average: $27
Website: http://fourrosesbourbon.com/
Reviewer Scores:
BuffaloJern: 6.0
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Metric Score: 41/70 |+| Metric Average: 5.86 |+| Reviewer Average: 6.0
Final Thoughts: If I am honest I can totally see myself buying this again, or ordering it a bar (which incidentally I am doing some travel to the southern states during these posts), but this isn’t a bourbon I rave about, a bourbon I suggest heartily to others. I sought to restore the soul of America to these Honest Booze Reviews, but it seems my search must continue.
