Four Roses Single Barrel OBSK 750ML

Four Roses Single Barrel OBSK 750ML is a 100 proof (50% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 750ml, drawn from one of the spiciest recipes in the Four Roses portfolio. This private barrel selection pairs the distillery's high-rye mashbill B with the proprietary K yeast strain, producing a singularly spice-driven single barrel expression that has earned Gold medals at both the New York International Spirits Competition and the USA Spirits Ratings.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA  |  Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon  |  Distillery: Four Roses

Production & Heritage

Four Roses Distillery, located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, is one of the state's most storied bourbon producers, founded in 1888 and now owned by Kirin Brewery Company. The distillery is distinguished by its use of ten distinct bourbon recipes, created from two mashbills and five proprietary yeast strains. The OBSK recipe specifically uses mashbill B — 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley — fermented with the K yeast strain, which is known for contributing pronounced spice character and structured warmth. Among all ten recipes, OBSK is widely regarded as the most intensely spicy expression Four Roses produces, making it a favorite among private barrel selectors seeking bold flavor.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich, clean rye grain followed by lighter baking spices — think nutmeg and cinnamon bark. A thread of sweet vanilla weaves through the aromatics, giving the spice a warm, inviting anchor.

Taste: The entry is immediate and rye-forward, with assertive grain spice meeting the mid-palate in layers of allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon. As the whiskey opens up, sweeter tones of vanilla and cherry emerge beneath the spice, creating depth without diminishing the recipe's bold character. At 100 proof, the mouthfeel carries real weight without being harsh.

Finish: Surprisingly soft and mellow given the intensity on the palate, with lingering rye spice and a gentle warmth that trails off gradually. The baking spice notes persist as a final signature, leaving a clean, dry close.

How to Drink OBSK

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal serve — water helps coax out the cherry and vanilla sweetness hiding beneath the dominant spice notes. At 100 proof, it also stands up exceptionally well over a single large ice cube. For cocktails, the OBSK recipe works beautifully in a Manhattan, where the rye spice complements sweet vermouth and bitters with authority; in an Old Fashioned, where the bold flavor profile doesn't get lost behind sugar and citrus; and in a Boulevardier, where its cinnamon-forward warmth balances the bitterness of Campari.

Best For

• Bourbon collectors exploring the nuances across Four Roses' ten recipe variations
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who favors high-rye, spice-driven bourbons
• Building a tasting flight comparing Four Roses' different yeast strains and mashbills
• Mixing a spirit-forward cocktail that demands backbone and complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OBSK taste like? Four Roses OBSK is defined by intense rye spice — allspice, nutmeg, and cinnamon dominate — underpinned by sweeter notes of vanilla and cherry. It is widely considered the spiciest of Four Roses' ten bourbon recipes.

How does OBSK compare to the standard Four Roses Single Barrel (OBSV)? The standard Four Roses Single Barrel uses the V yeast strain, which delivers a creamier, more fruit-forward profile with delicate floral notes. OBSK, by contrast, swaps in the K yeast strain, producing a noticeably spicier, more assertive bourbon with pronounced baking spice character.

Is OBSK good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its 100 proof strength delivers concentration and complexity without excessive heat, and the interplay between bold rye spice and underlying sweetness rewards patient, attentive sipping.

Where is OBSK made? OBSK is produced at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, situated in the heart of bourbon country along the Salt River in Anderson County.

What foods pair well with OBSK? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the rye spice mirrors smoky-sweet barbecue; aged sharp cheddar, which echoes the bourbon's intensity; dark chocolate with chili, playing off the cinnamon and allspice; pecan pie, whose toasty sweetness bridges the vanilla notes; and cured charcuterie, where fatty richness tempers the bourbon's spice.

What sizes does OBSK come in? The Four Roses Single Barrel OBSK is available in the standard 750ml bottle size, though availability depends on specific private barrel selection programs.

Is OBSK worth the price? OBSK positions as a premium single barrel bourbon that represents genuine uniqueness — a specific recipe from a specific barrel rather than a blended product. Within the landscape of single barrel bourbons at 100 proof, it delivers considerable complexity and character, making it strong competition in its price tier.

Why OBSK?

What sets this expression apart is specificity: out of Four Roses' ten possible bourbon recipes, OBSK is the acknowledged spice champion, a distinction that matters when most distilleries offer no such transparency. The combination of the high-rye B mashbill (35% rye) with the K yeast strain produces a flavor profile that no other Four Roses recipe replicates. Gold medals at the New York International Spirits Competition and USA Spirits Ratings validate what barrel selectors already know — this recipe punches well above its weight class. For anyone seeking a single barrel bourbon with genuine intensity, clear provenance, and a production story rooted in one of Kentucky's most methodical distilling programs, OBSK stands as one of the more compelling picks available.