Four Roses Distillery
Four Roses Singel Barrel
Four Roses Single Barrel represents the bold, individualistic spirit of Kentucky bourbon, bottled at barrel strength from hand-selected casks by one of the state's most distinguished distilleries.
Country
United States
Region
Kentucky
More information
Producer
Founded in 1888, Four Roses Distillery is a Kentucky bourbon producer distinguished by its use of ten distinct recipes created from five proprietary yeast strains and two carefully constructed mash bills. The distillery operates from its historic site in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where traditional distillation methods combine with a uniquely systematic approach to fermentation. This methodical blending philosophy shapes a house style defined by balance, floral complexity and refined spice.
Quick Facts
- Founded: 1888
- Location: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, United States
- Whisky region: Kentucky
- Whisky type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Signature expression: Four Roses Single Barrel
- Production hallmark: Two mash bills combined with five proprietary yeast strains to create ten distinct recipes
- Still configuration: Traditional copper pot stills and column stills
- House style: Smooth, floral character with vanilla, caramel, fruit and gentle rye spice
- Cask maturation: Charred new American oak barrels
- Current ownership: Kirin Brewery Company
A Distillery Built on Bourbon Tradition
Four Roses traces its origins to 1888, establishing itself within Kentucky's bourbon heartland during a period of rapid growth for American whiskey production. The distillery's location in Lawrenceburg provided access to the limestone-filtered water and favourable climate conditions that have long defined Kentucky bourbon.
Through periods of changing ownership and shifting market fortunes, Four Roses maintained its commitment to traditional bourbon craftsmanship, preserving methods that continue to shape its identity more than a century later.
The Ten-Recipe Philosophy
Four Roses is built around an unusually structured production system. The distillery works with two distinct mash bills: one higher in rye content for pronounced spice and complexity, the other more corn-forward for sweetness and approachability. Each mash bill is fermented using five different proprietary yeast strains, each contributing specific aromatic and flavour characteristics.
The result is ten separate bourbon recipes, each offering a distinct profile. This disciplined approach allows the distillery to craft expressions through careful barrel selection and blending, creating bourbons that balance consistency with nuanced complexity.
It is a production philosophy that prioritizes control, transparency and the expression of individual recipe components within finished whiskey.
Maturation in the Kentucky Climate
Distillation takes place using a combination of traditional copper pot stills and column stills, with spirit matured in charred new American oak barrels at the distillery's warehouses. Kentucky's seasonal temperature fluctuations drive interaction between spirit and wood, drawing vanilla, caramel and oak-derived tannins into the developing bourbon.
The warehouse environment allows Four Roses to mature whiskey that develops characteristic fruit notes—including pear, apple and berry—alongside gentle rye spice and a smooth, floral character that has become central to the distillery's identity.
Expressions such as Four Roses Single Barrel showcase individual recipe strength and cask variation, while Four Roses Small Batch demonstrates the distillery's blending precision across multiple recipes and barrel selections. Limited-edition releases explore the breadth of character available within the ten-recipe framework, offering bourbon enthusiasts insight into the distillery's craft and the diversity possible within a single production philosophy.
Country
Region
Kentucky
Kentucky is the historic heartland of American bourbon whiskey production and one of the most respected whisky-producing regions in the world. Located in the southeastern United States, the state has been home to bourbon distilling for over two centuries, combining natural advantages with deep-rooted tradition to create a spirit that has become synonymous with American craftsmanship. Today Kentucky produces more than 95% of the world's bourbon, making it the undisputed centre of this distinctive whiskey style.
The region's ideal conditions for bourbon production include limestone-filtered water, which removes iron while adding essential minerals, and a climate of warm summers and cold winters that encourages interaction between spirit and oak. Kentucky's rolling hills and rich agricultural heritage provide abundant corn, the primary grain in bourbon production, while locally sourced white oak barrels impart the characteristic vanilla, caramel and spice notes that define the category. These natural advantages have shaped bourbon production in Kentucky for generations.
Kentucky is home to many of the world's most renowned bourbon distilleries, including Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, Heaven Hill and Jim Beam. Each distillery brings its own house style while adhering to strict bourbon regulations, producing whiskies ranging from refined small-batch expressions to bold cask-strength releases. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail has become one of the most celebrated whisky tourism destinations, drawing enthusiasts from around the world to experience authentic bourbon heritage.
Explore Kentucky whiskies, compare prices from trusted merchants across Europe and discover the best offers with Sipfind.
Grapes
History and Style
Four Roses Single Barrel is a core range bourbon that exemplifies the craft and precision of Kentucky whiskey-making. Produced by Four Roses Distillery, this expression is bottled directly from individually selected barrels at barrel strength, typically ranging from 50-55% ABV. Each bottle represents a unique snapshot of the distillery's signature high-rye bourbon character, hand-picked by the master distiller for optimal flavor development.
Quick Facts
- Country: United States
- Style: Bold, spicy single barrel bourbon with high rye content
- Alcohol (ABV): Barrel strength, typically 50-55%
- Tasting Profile: Vanilla, caramel, rye spice, dried fruit, oak, honey, pepper
- Food Pairing: Grilled meats, barbecue, dark chocolate, aged cheddar, pecan pie
- Consumer Profile: Bourbon enthusiasts, single barrel collectors, craft whiskey drinkers
- Age Statement: NAS (typically 6-8 years)
- Release Type: Core Range
Distillery and Production
Four Roses Distillery has earned its reputation through a commitment to quality and a distinctive approach to bourbon production. Using two different mashbills and five proprietary yeast strains, the distillery creates ten distinct bourbon recipes. The Single Barrel expression draws from this diverse portfolio, selecting barrels that best showcase the distillery's OBSV recipe—characterized by its delicate fruitiness balanced against assertive rye spice.
Character and Style
The bourbon is matured in new charred American oak barrels in Four Roses' single-story warehouses, where Kentucky's temperature variations work their magic on the spirit. The result is a complex, full-bodied bourbon with layers of vanilla, caramel, and baking spices, underscored by the peppery rye character that defines the Four Roses house style. Each barrel yields approximately 240 bottles, making every release subtly different while maintaining the distillery's renowned consistency.
Whether enjoyed neat or with a splash of water to open up its bold flavors, Four Roses Single Barrel appeals to bourbon enthusiasts seeking authenticity and character. Compare prices across premium retailers on Sipfind to find the best value for this exceptional Kentucky bourbon.