Four Roses Small Batch 750ML

Four Roses Small Batch 750ML is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottled at 45% ABV (90 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Named Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards, this expression stands apart by drawing from four of the distillery's ten proprietary bourbon recipes — a blending approach virtually no other American distillery replicates at this scale.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45% (90 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA  |  Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey  |  Distillery: Four Roses

Production & Heritage

Four Roses has operated in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and is one of the few bourbon distilleries to employ multiple mashbills and yeast strains as a core production philosophy. The distillery uses two distinct mashbills — Mash Bill "E" (75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley) and Mash Bill "B" (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley) — alongside five proprietary yeast strains, yielding ten unique bourbon recipes. Small Batch is a mingling of four of those recipes: OBSK, OESK, OBSO, and OESO, each selected by the master distiller for their complementary profiles of fruit, spice, and richness. The result is a bourbon with more dimensional complexity than any single-recipe expression could achieve at this proof point.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a remarkable wave of caramel and ripe red berries, followed by vanilla, dark fruit, and a strong rye presence. Behind those lead notes, cinnamon, light citrus, and a slightly floral character emerge as the bourbon breathes.

Taste: The entry is smooth and creamy, with caramel and rye spice immediately asserting themselves on the palate. At mid-palate, layers of plum, honey, leather, and pepper develop alongside sweet oak and vanilla. Nutmeg and corn sweetness round out the peak, giving the bourbon a well-balanced interplay between its two mashbills.

Finish: The finish is long and mellow, carrying warm cinnamon and toasted oak notes that linger without turning bitter. A subtle fruitiness persists, lending a clean and inviting close that rewards slow sipping.

How to Drink Four Roses Small Batch

At 90 proof, Small Batch drinks well neat or with a single ice cube, which opens the floral and fruit notes without diluting the rye backbone. A few drops of water can further reveal the caramel and dark fruit complexity.

• Old Fashioned: The blend's natural caramel sweetness and cinnamon spice integrate seamlessly with bitters and a sugar cube, producing a balanced, classic cocktail.
• Bourbon Sour: The ripe berry and plum notes complement fresh citrus juice, giving the drink a fruit-forward depth that lighter bourbons lack.
• Manhattan: The rye-forward character from the "B" mashbill recipes provides enough spice to stand up to sweet vermouth without being overwhelmed.

Best For

• Daily sipper for bourbon drinkers who want complexity beyond single-recipe bottlings
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who appreciates production transparency and blending craft
• Building a home bourbon collection with a versatile anchor bottle
• Hosting a bourbon tasting flight comparing multi-recipe blends against single-barrel expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Four Roses Small Batch taste like? Four Roses Small Batch delivers rich caramel and rye spice up front, followed by layers of plum, honey, vanilla, and sweet oak, finishing with warm cinnamon and a subtle fruitiness. The blend of four distinct recipes creates a bourbon that balances sweetness and spice without either dominating.

How does Four Roses Small Batch compare to Buffalo Trace? Both are bottled at similar proof points and occupy the same general price tier, making them natural competitors for everyday bourbon drinkers. Four Roses Small Batch tends to show more rye-driven spice and fruit complexity due to its multi-recipe blending, while Buffalo Trace generally leans toward a softer, more vanilla-and-toffee-forward profile from its single mashbill.

Is Four Roses Small Batch good for sipping neat? Yes — at 90 proof, it sits in an accessible range that delivers full flavor without excessive heat, and its multi-recipe blend provides enough complexity to reward careful, unhurried sipping.

Where is Four Roses Small Batch made? Four Roses Small Batch is distilled at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, situated in the heart of bourbon country along the Salt River. All production, from fermentation through aging and blending, takes place in Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Four Roses Small Batch? Smoked pork ribs benefit from the bourbon's caramel and cinnamon warmth. Dark chocolate truffles complement the plum and berry notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère highlights the oak and vanilla character. Pecan pie mirrors the sweet, nutty depth in the finish. Charcuterie boards with cured meats and dried fruits echo the bourbon's layered spice and fruit.

What sizes does Four Roses Small Batch come in? The standard size is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this expression.

Is Four Roses Small Batch worth the price? Four Roses Small Batch positions as a premium everyday bourbon that punches above its price tier in complexity, largely because of the proprietary four-recipe blending process. It has earned multiple gold medals and a 94-point rating from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge (2012), reinforcing its reputation as one of the strongest values in the small batch category.

Why Four Roses Small Batch?

The defining differentiator here is the ten-recipe system. While most bourbon distilleries work from a single mashbill, Four Roses' combination of two mashbills and five yeast strains gives the master distiller a palette of flavors unmatched in the category. Small Batch pulls from four of those recipes — OBSK, OESK, OBSO, and OESO — each contributing distinct notes of fruit, spice, or richness that a single-recipe bourbon simply cannot replicate. The expression has sustained critical recognition over more than a decade, including a Double Gold at the 2015 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Best Kentucky Small Batch Bourbon at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards. For anyone seeking a bourbon that demonstrates what thoughtful blending can accomplish at an accessible proof and price tier, this bottle makes its case clearly.