Welcome back to another review on Film & Whiskey! Today, we're wrapping up our Four Roses lineup with the Four Roses Single Barrel. After sampling the Yellow Label, Small Batch, and Small Batch Select, it's time to check out this 100-proof bourbon. We've had these samples on hand for quite a while now, thanks to our friend Bourboneering. Interestingly enough, he was still going by "Bourbon in College" when he first gave these to us, so it's been a journey across seasons to get here.
Bob and Brad have never been huge fans of Four Roses as a brand, but they are ready to give this Single Barrel offering its fair shake. So, let’s dive in and see what it has to offer.
The following review is taken from our episode "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory / Four Roses Single Barrel." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format.
Nose
Bob: "So right off the bat, I’m getting a lot of alcohol on the nose, which makes me nervous. It’s a little astringent, but there’s some vanilla in there too. I’m picking up a bit of floral, which I didn’t expect after drinking the other Four Roses products. And you know what? There’s a really faint hint of peanut butter in there, which I like. But again, it’s behind that strong alcohol note. I’m going to give this a 6.5/10."
Brad: "Yeah, I’m with you on this one, Bob. The alcohol forwardness is pretty strong, but there are some decent vanilla and floral notes in there. It’s not an unpleasant nose, but I’m also cautious about what’s coming next. I’ll give it a 6/10."
Taste
Bob: "Alright, time for a sip. Hmm… yeah, that’s pretty much what I expected. It’s got a lot of alcohol burn right up front, which is something I’ve noticed with bourbons in that 100-proof range. The flavor itself isn’t very complex. There’s not much sweetness, and what’s left is mostly alcohol and oak. It’s not bad, but it’s definitely not wowing me. I’ll give the taste a 5.5/10."
Brad: "Yeah, I’m getting that burn too. It’s almost got a lemony tartness to it, which isn’t doing it any favors for me. There’s an herbal note in there, maybe lavender or sage, but the sweetness just doesn’t mesh well with it. It’s just not my style. I’m going to give it a 6/10."
Finish
Bob: "I’m not mad about the finish. It’s not very long, but it doesn’t completely disappear either. I’m still tasting bourbon, which is more than I can say for some other whiskeys. It’s a bit bitter and herbal at the end, but overall, I find the finish a little more pleasant than the taste itself. I’ll give the finish a 6/10."
Brad: "For me, it gets a bit sour on the finish, and I think that might be the high rye content. It’s okay, but it’s not something I’d seek out. I’m going to give it a 5/10."
Balance
Bob: "When we look at the overall balance—the nose, taste, and finish combined—it’s just not quite there for me. The alcohol forwardness is really hard to get past, and the flavors don’t seem to harmonize well. Someone who likes this kind of profile might find it balanced, but it’s not for me. I’ll give it a 5.5/10."
Brad: "Yeah, I think a part of balance is managing the alcohol burn, and they didn’t do a great job here. The flavors feel disjointed too, like they don’t really blend well together. I’m going to give it a 4/10 on balance."
Value
Bob: "So, a bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel will run you about $42 here in Ohio. For me, this feels like an over-priced version of their Yellow Label, which has similar harsh and astringent qualities. I wish they had just bottled this at a lower proof and charged less for it. I don’t think it’s a great value at all, so I’m giving it a 3.5/10."
Brad: "I’m with you on this one. It’s not the worst whiskey for the price, but it’s definitely not the best. At $42, I’d expect something a little more refined. I’ll give it a 4/10 on value."
Final Scores
- Bob's Final Score: 27/50
- Brad's Final Score: 25/50
- Average: 26/50
Conclusion
At 26/50, the Four Roses Single Barrel lands just over the halfway mark. For us, that means it's not something we would recommend grabbing a full bottle of. With a score below 35/50, we’d suggest trying it at a bar first before committing to a purchase. It’s worth noting that a score of 40/50 is considered good, and anything around 45/50 is excellent. Unfortunately, this particular pour just didn’t hit the mark for us.
If you’re someone who enjoys high-rye bourbons and doesn’t mind a bit of alcohol burn, this might be worth exploring. But for us, it’s a pass, especially at $42. If you’re curious about Four Roses, we’d recommend the Small Batch Select as the standout from this lineup.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to stay tuned for more reviews!
