“A flower was supplied to me, such a flower as Might by no means bore…” – William Blake
After my current overview of 4 Roses’ flagship providing, the colloquially identified “Yellow Label” expression, I used to be graciously supplied a chance to cease and scent (and style) the topic of at the moment’s overview: 4 Roses Small Batch Bourbon.
Initially launched again in 2006, 4 Roses Small Batch is beloved among the many cocktail crowd for being an excellent mixing whiskey. It’s a job the bourbon is effectively fitted to in that it has a great little bit of age (six to seven years, per their web site), a decent 90 proof which holds up effectively when diluted, and a wallet-friendly value level at $30. Nevertheless, regardless of its stellar popularity as among the best bourbons beneath $30, it has solely been written about right here on Malt as a part of a side-by-side comparability with its sibling the Small Batch Choose a number of years again.
Due to this, and because of my pleasurable expertise with their base providing, I’m glad to provide 4 Roses Small Batch my undivided consideration at the moment. Instantly we must always make point out of the truth that this isn’t simply “Yellow Label” at a better proof. As a substitute, 4 Roses Small Batch is a mingling of 4 of the model’s 10 bourbon recipes (OBSK, OESK, OBSO, and OESO), which they word is an equal steadiness of their “E” and “B” mash payments whereas additionally being an equal steadiness of their “Okay” and “O” yeast strands. Because of this this could produce a extra centered taste profile, and one that could be a slight departure from typical 4 Roses bourbon.
Earlier than we go any additional, let’s have a fast apart to comment on the truth that that is purportedly a mix of about 250 barrels. No matter prohibitive concepts is perhaps forged by the time period “small batch” can rapidly be disbursed with, because it’s not a legally outlined time period. As a consequence of this, a “small batch” can theoretically include hundreds of barrels. This isn’t to disparage both 4 Roses or the industry-wide use of the time period, however I do consider it’s price noting that it’s a meaningless phrase primarily used to point {that a} whiskey is the results of a mix versus a single barrel. As a result of 4 Roses has a large stock to pick out from, mingling this expression from a big choice of barrels permits them to make sure a constant product from batch to voluminous batch.
Now, on the subject of my private expertise with this expression, I’ve to say that it’s sadly restricted. As a result of I benefit from the comparative value of Yellow Label and rarely discover myself mixing cocktails at residence, this can be a bottle I are likely to overlook regardless of all of the excessive reward it receives. Moreover, with 4 Roses Small Batch Choose and 4 Roses Single Barrel aimed extra at whiskey fans (and maybe tellingly, being double the associated fee) I’ve loved these expressions extra often than at the moment’s topic as effectively.
So have I been turning a blind eye to the sweetest of 4 Roses’ 4 core expressions? Let’s go over a number of of the remaining particulars and discover out. As aforementioned, this can be a mix of 4 proprietary recipes consisting of two mash payments in undisclosed proportions: a 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley recipe and a 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley recipe. Once more, the proof is 90 (45% ABV) and the associated fee at retail is $30. Lastly, I’d prefer to say that this bottle was supplied to me for gratis, although that may haven’t any impact on my overview and I will likely be scoring it as if I paid the complete retail value.
4 Roses Small Batch – Assessment
Coloration: Pale gold with a contact of orange.
On the nostril: An exquisite ballroom of attractive aromas pirouetting in pairs, I’m choosing up anise spice and apricot, butterscotch and potting soil, white pepper and blood orange. As soon as the preliminary wave of scents settle down there are lastly some notes of black tea, peppermint, and a contact of cornbread with butter on high. All in all it’s a darker and heartier nostril than 4 Roses’ entry-level expression.
Within the mouth: The style of sweet cane is outstanding together with the butterscotch and apricot from the nostril. Once more echoing the nostril, blood orange is discovered on the again palate together with the distinct style of cinnamon bark. As I intuited from the aromas, the style is extra savory than Yellow Label and in addition extra stuffed with spice (particularly nutmeg, black pepper, and the anise from the nostril.) The feel is strong and creamy however I really feel it’s a bit overwhelming in live performance with the spice kick which, for me, throws the steadiness off a bit regardless of presenting some genuinely pleasing flavors. Moreover, although the flavors are nice they appear to be a bit muddled with nothing actually taking the lead and all of them bleeding into each other reasonably than melding harmoniously. Lastly, the spice notes persist on the end which dries the palate a bit (although not overwhelmingly so) and encourages repeat sips.
Conclusions:
General I’m a bit let down due to the easy proven fact that I’ve surprisingly fallen in love with 4 Roses Yellow Label, a bourbon that I previously discovered too watered down and boring to advantage my consideration. Regardless of my preliminary pleasure at making an attempt 4 Roses Small Batch, it’s a distinctly completely different expertise from its extra easygoing and reasonably priced sibling.
Although I’m keen on the flavors in 4 Roses Small Batch, I discover that they’re a bit disjointed leaving a bit to be desired. Whereas the nostril casts intrigue and does a superb job of displaying a number of the signature notes 4 Roses is thought for (notably the mint-like rye spice) I believe the top result’s much less of a step up from their base providing and extra of a step in a number of instructions directly. The worth is a winner and the standard is simply superb, however this appears like a whiskey extra intent on being a mixer than a stand-alone sipping bourbon. In that capability it may be used as a fulcrum to fuse collectively disparate flavors, and I’ve little doubt this bottle will excel in that function.
