Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
Overall Score: 5.75/10
Overall Value: 2.25/5
Distillery: Four Roses
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Kirin Brewery Company
Release Date: 2025
Proof: 100
Age: NAS (Press release states 7-9 years)
Color: Copper
MSRP: $50 (2026)
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of this Four Roses Single Barrel opens with a mix of fruit and nuttiness. Orange and cherry come through first, almost like a red Starburst, followed by a peanut-forward note reminiscent of a Snickers bar. As it sits, hints of vanilla, light cinnamon, cigar smoke, and even a touch of black licorice begin to show. It’s an inviting nose with plenty going on up front.
The palate starts off juicy and sweet, delivering a quick pop of red fruit along with vanilla Tootsie Roll and Twizzler rope notes. The mouthfeel feels full and weighty, especially for a single barrel that drinks close to barrel strength. Unfortunately, that early sweetness fades quickly. Sharp alcohol, youthful oak, and cedar take over, creating a somewhat rough and astringent mid-palate that overwhelms the more enjoyable flavors.
The finish leans dry and woody. Cherry chapstick appears briefly before giving way to drying oak that lingers and slightly numbs the mouth. A faint touch of caramel shows up now and then, but it struggles to balance out the bitterness and sharp edges.
This Four Roses Single Barrel — using the Recipe OESO — delivers an attractive nose with fruit, nuttiness, and spice, but the palate and finish don’t quite live up to that promise. While fans of the Four Roses distillery and their signature mashbill may appreciate the profile more, this pour came across as overly astringent and youthful for our taste. At MSRP it may be worth a try—especially if found on Sale—but for us, this review ended up being a reminder that not every barrel, even at near barrel strength, will suit every palate.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Advertisement
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 6.5/10
Value: 2.5/5
THE NOSE:
The nose presents an immediate nutty profile, reminiscent of the peanut flavors found in a Snickers bar.
This is paired with a distinct waft of cigar smoke and a hint of vanilla.
THE TASTE:
The mouthfeel is juicy but full. The initial flavor is notably sweet, bringing forward a fruity profile likened to Twizzler ropes and a vanilla Tootsie Roll.
This initial sweetness quickly mellows, transitioning into a pairing of youthful oak and cedar.
THE FINISH:
The finish delivers a distinct note of cherry-flavored chapstick.
It becomes quite dry, with the woodiness drawing out significantly.
BUY OR PASS?
For the amount of flavor profiles I noted during the review that I typically like, I was really surprised that I did not enjoy this pour more.
There was something that felt a bit astringent throughout.
The Hunter Says
Score: 5/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
The nose on this one starts off pretty nice—lots of fruit, especially orange and cherry. It actually reminds me of a red Starburst.
There’s also a little cinnamon and even a hint of black licorice.
But once you take a sip, all of those good smells seem to vanish, replaced by what’s on the palate—and unfortunately, it’s not great.
THE TASTE:
I’ll admit upfront: I’ve never been a fan of the Four Roses mashbill. I’ve tried several of their recipes and none have clicked for me.
When I taste this, I get a quick bunch of redfruit sweetness, but it quickly fades into sharp alcohol and that rough, youthful bite that just isn’t pleasant.
THE FINISH:
The finish continues down the same path—more of those off flavors, followed by a drying oak that leaves your mouth feeling a little numb.
Every now and then I catch a touch of caramel, but it’s not enough to save it.
BUY OR PASS?
In the end, this one just isn’t for me. If you’re a Four Roses fan, you might enjoy it more, but for my palate, it’s a hard pass.
The nose gave me some hope, but the taste took it right back.
