It’s hard believe the Kentucky Derby is here again but we’re glad it is. Horse racing and whiskey go hand in hand. This year we have selected Four Roses to be our whiskey choice for the derby and specifically 3 different expressions. Below you will find our reviews of the three expressions and two recipes. Enjoy your derby day tomorrow. Cheers!
Name: Four Roses Single Barrel
Bottled By: Four Roses Distillery
ABV: 50%
Proof: 100
Notes: On the nose four roses has a pleasant wood scent, with vanilla and fruit notes. At first sip I tasted vanilla, caramel, cherries, and apricots with some noticeable spice up front, nutmeg, cinnamon, and pepper flavors. There is a nice burn that quickly fades to some sweeter notes. The finish is spicy with some vanilla, toffee, cinnamon, and wood flavors and is surprisingly long. Four Roses Single Barrel is great bourbon that provides some complex flavors as well as some burn. To me, this bourbon definitely stands out above some of the rest in the price range. It has a great flavor and the perfect burn that really warms you up. I tried it neat, on the rocks, and with a splash and enjoyed it best with a splash as it brought more flavor out. Four Roses Single Barrel is a fine addition to any bourbon collection.
Four Roses Manhattan:
Ingredients:
• ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
• 2 1/2 oz Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon
• Dash Angostura® bitters
• 2 or 3 ice cubes
• 1 maraschino cherry
• 1 twist of orange peel
Preparation:
Combine the vermouth, whiskey, bitters and ice in a mixing glass. Stir gently, don’t bruise the spirits and cloud the drink. Place the cherry in a chilled cocktail glass and strain the whiskey mixture over the cherry. Rub the cut edge of the orange peel over the rim of the glass and twist it over the drink to release the oils but don’t drop it in.
Name: Four Roses Small Batch
Bottled By: Four Roses Distillery
ABV: 45%
Proof: 90
Notes: On the nose Four Roses Small Batch has a nice spicy woodsy scent to it. At first sip you are hit with a very pleasant spice taste with some caramel, vanilla, and mint. I got a nice taste of dry oak as well which was very enjoyable. The finish is long and spicy with some vanilla, fruit, and black pepper. Four Roses Small Batch is spicy but very enjoyable. It has the perfect amount of spice in my opinion. This bourbon had a very good flavor profile; it is very enjoyable and priced right. I enjoyed this bourbon neat, on the rocks, and with a splash and enjoyed it best neat.
Four Roses Old Fashioned:
Ingredients:
• 50ml Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
• 1 cube of sugar (or a splash of simple syrup)
• 2 dashes bitters
• 2-3 ice cubes
• Twist of lemon
Preparation:
In an Old Fashioned Glass, place a sugar cube or use simple syrup as a substitute. Add bitters and just enough water to help dissolve the sugar. Crush or muddle the sugar in the glass and coat the bottom of the glass. Add 2-3 ice cubes and Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon. Garnish with a twist, or if you’d like, a slice of orange and a cherry.
Name: Four Roses Yellow
Bottled By: Four Roses Distillery
ABV: 40%
Proof: 80
Age: Unknown
Notes: Our nose detects some toffee and caramel in Four Roses Yellow. Upon first sip we tasted some vanilla along with a sweet corn taste which mellowed out and in came a slight caramel taste. The finish is rather long with a spicy cinnamon taste with some slight oak flavor. Four Roses Yellow label is value bourbon and most likely used as a mixer by many. We tried ours on the rocks and with a splash. We enjoyed it best on the rocks.
