Four Roses Small Batch Select
Mike Rosen

Bourbon

April 8, 2022

In 2008 Four Roses introduced the very popular Small Batch, which is made up of 4 of the 10 Four Roses recipes OBSK, OESK, OBSO and OESO bottled at 90 proof. In 2019 Four Roses introduced Small Batch Select by Brent Elliot, who took over the reins as master distiller after Jim Rutledge retired from the Four Roses brand after 49 years of service in 2015. Small Batch Select is blended with 6 of the 10 Four Roses recipes OBSV, OESV, OBSK, OESK, OBSF and OESF. Small Batch Select uses both Four Roses high and higher rye mash bills along with delicate fruit (V), slight spice (K) and herbal notes (F) yeast strains. This selection is non-chill filtered bottled at 104 proof. You can check out all the Four Roses recipes and descriptions here.

Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass, rested about 10 minutes.

Distillery: Four Roses Distillery.

Proof: 104.

Age: NAS – “Mingling” of 6 &7 year.

Mash bill:
Mash bill E: 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Mash bill B: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

Price: Paid $60.00.

Appearance: Golden copper.

Nose

Sweet caramel, vanilla, green tea, dill, sage, nectarines, banana, pecans, lemon citrus, baking spice and oak. Sweet caramel, vanilla bean and herbal notes are the dominant notes in this herbal forward nose. Stone fruit, banana with subtle pecan nuttiness round out it out with allspice that verges on nutmeg. There is also a slight floral note of lavender with subtle oak. Though not very intense, it is very pleasant and flavorful.

Palate

This has a very nice medium mouthfeel. Nose moves on to the palate starting with sweet caramel and herbal notes of dill and sage. Stone fruit notes mix with pecans and baking spice, cover the palate nicely with a fair amount of oak to complete the sip. The notes are there but overall, it’s somewhat muted. Otherwise, it’s a very tasty and pleasant easy sipper.

Finish

Allspice and herbal notes from the palate lingers, as oak tannins turn to slight tobacco. This high herbal profile continues to the end for a medium finish.

Conclusion

This bottle reminds me of a college relationship I once had. I tried very hard to like this bottle but after coming back to it many times over several months, I had to come to the realization that I just wasn’t into it. Small Batch Select offers a lot of good flavors but unfortunately didn’t leave me with anything to get excited about. There are other Four Roses selections that I prefer, that cost less. Such as the standard Single Barrel and even the standard Small Batch (despite being 14 proof points lower). There are also MGP high rye bourbons (using a 36% rye mash bill) that I prefer over Small Batch Select from Smoke Wagon, Smooth Ambler Old Scout and George Remus.

I’m aware there are big fans of Four Roses Small Batch Select who at best, are going to strongly disagree with me. At worst might send me a nasty message. Please don’t by the way. I realize everyone has their own palate and preference and that’s what it’s all about. Could it be this specific batch isn’t up to snuff? Maybe. Everyone expects single barrels to vary, but what isn’t mentioned often enough, is this happens with small batch expressions too. The variations are usually slight, but other times it’s much more noticeable. The reason I bring this up is I’ve read other reviews that sing praises of Small Batch Select, but none of those describe the one I’m drinking. When I have the chance, I’ll try a different Small Batch Select (batch). If it’s much better than this one, I’ll update this review.

Taking all this into account, I would still recommend trying Four Roses Small Batch Select for yourself to come to your own conclusions. Regardless of my own experience and preference, it’s still a very good bourbon with its own profile that you may enjoy.

Rating: 6/10.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.

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