Four Roses Liquor Barn Single Barrel 750ML

Four Roses Liquor Barn Single Barrel 750ML is a barrel-strength Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 62.55% ABV (125.1 proof) in a 750ml bottle. This private barrel selection features the OBSK recipe—a high-rye, spicy-yeast combination that stands among the most sought-after of Four Roses' ten proprietary recipes. Four Roses earned Whisky Magazine's American Whisky Distiller of the Year in 2011, 2012, and 2013, underscoring the distillery's reputation for consistency and quality across its portfolio.

Quick Facts: ABV: 62.55% (125.1 proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 9 Years 3 Months  |  Distillery: Four Roses Distillery

Production & Heritage

Four Roses Distillery, founded in 1888 and located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, is one of the oldest continuously operating bourbon producers in the state. The liquid is distilled using a two-step process through a column still followed by a doubler, then aged for 9 years and 3 months in new charred American oak. What distinguishes this expression is its OBSK recipe: a mashbill of 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley paired with the "K" yeast strain, known for contributing pronounced spice character. Four Roses is also notable for maturing its bourbon in single-story rack warehouses, where temperatures vary by only about 8 degrees Fahrenheit from top to bottom—compared to roughly 30 degrees in traditional multi-story rickhouses—producing a more even, gentle maturation across every barrel.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with dark stone fruit—black cherry and ripe plum—layered over toasted hickory and a thread of pipe tobacco. Behind that initial wave, baking spices and a subtle floral note emerge, with hints of vanilla and cocoa deepening as the bourbon breathes.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, with maraschino cherry and dried currant sweetness giving way to a mid-palate surge of cinnamon, fennel, and black pepper from the high-rye mashbill. At peak intensity, maple syrup and molasses merge with robust oak tannins, kept in check by a thread of ripe pear and apricot brightness.

Finish: Long and warming, with lingering notes of licorice, pine, and charred wood that gradually yield to residual vanilla and caramel. The barrel-proof heat is present but well-integrated, leaving a persistent spice tingle across the palate.

How to Drink Four Roses OBSK Single Barrel

At 125.1 proof, a few drops of water or a single large ice cube will open this bourbon considerably without diminishing its intensity; tasting it neat first rewards the effort, revealing the full arc of fruit, spice, and oak. An Old Fashioned is a natural match—the barrel-proof strength punches through sugar and bitters without losing its dark cherry backbone. In a Manhattan, the OBSK's high-rye spice and fennel notes create a compelling interplay with sweet vermouth. A Boulevardier also works exceptionally well, as the robust proof and baking-spice complexity stand up to Campari's bitterness rather than being buried by it.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who appreciates barrel-proof, single-recipe selections
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Four Roses' ten proprietary recipes
• Anchoring a high-proof Old Fashioned at a home cocktail gathering
• Adding a standout bottle to a Kentucky bourbon collection focused on private picks

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Four Roses OBSK Single Barrel taste like? It delivers bold black cherry and dried currant sweetness up front, followed by assertive baking spice, cinnamon, and fennel, all supported by a full-bodied oak and molasses foundation. The barrel-proof intensity amplifies every flavor without harshness.

How does Four Roses OBSK compare to the standard Four Roses Single Barrel? The standard Four Roses Single Barrel uses the OBSV recipe at 100 proof and is typically aged around seven to eight years, producing a lighter, more delicately fruity profile. This OBSK private selection is bottled at a much higher 125.1 proof with over nine years of aging, resulting in a significantly bolder, spicier, and more tannic bourbon driven by the "K" yeast strain rather than the "V" strain's fruit-forward character.

Is Four Roses OBSK good for sipping neat? Yes—despite its high proof, the extended aging and Four Roses' single-story warehouse maturation produce a well-integrated spirit that rewards careful neat sipping, though a splash of water helps unlock additional nuance.

Where is Four Roses OBSK Single Barrel made? It is distilled and aged at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, with maturation taking place in the distillery's distinctive single-story rack warehouses in nearby Cox's Creek, Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Four Roses OBSK? Smoked brisket or pulled pork complements the hickory and molasses notes; dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa and cherry tones; aged cheddar or Gruyère highlights the caramel and spice; pecan pie mirrors the bourbon's baking-spice sweetness; and charcuterie with dried fruit bridges the gap between the spirit's fruity and savory sides.

What sizes does Four Roses OBSK come in? This private barrel selection is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is Four Roses OBSK worth the price? It positions as a premium private-selection bourbon, sitting above the standard Four Roses Single Barrel in both proof and age; for drinkers who value barrel-proof intensity and recipe-specific character, it represents strong value within the single-barrel private-pick category.

Why Four Roses OBSK Single Barrel?

Four Roses produces bourbon using a system of ten distinct recipes—five yeast strains crossed with two mashbills—and the OBSK combination is widely regarded by enthusiasts as one of the most flavorful and spice-driven of the ten. At 9 years and 3 months of age and an uncut 125.1 proof, this barrel selection captures the full expression of that recipe without dilution. The single-story warehouse aging method, unique among major Kentucky distillers, contributes to a level of barrel-to-barrel consistency that multi-story rickhouses struggle to match. For bourbon drinkers seeking a specific, traceable recipe with barrel-proof potency and nearly a decade of oak maturation, this OBSK pick delivers a focused experience that generic single-barrel releases rarely achieve.