Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

Four Roses is unique in American whiskey because the distillery uses ten distinct recipes — five yeast strains crossed with two mash bills. Four Roses Single Barrel ($54.99) bottles one specific recipe (OBSV) from one specific cask, never blended. Four Roses Small Batch ($37.99) blends four of the ten recipes for a balanced flavor. Single Barrel is more individual and barrel-driven; Small Batch is more consistent and friendlier for cocktails. For the full breakdown, see our Single Barrel vs. Small Batch Bourbon 2026 guide.

Four Roses Single Barrel is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) — significantly higher than the standard Small Batch at 90 proof. The OBSV recipe used for Single Barrel features a 60% corn / 35% rye / 5% malted barley mash bill (the "B" recipe is high-rye) combined with the "V" yeast strain, which contributes delicate fruit notes. The combination makes Single Barrel notably more complex and rye-spice-forward than the entry-level Four Roses bottling.

Expect a layered profile of ripe fruit (think pear, plum, cherry), baking spice (nutmeg, cinnamon), and gentle vanilla — with the elevated 100 proof providing real backbone without being hot. Many drinkers compare it to a refined Manhattan in a glass. The high-rye mash bill makes it noticeably spicier than corn-forward bourbons like Buffalo Trace ($78.99), and the single-barrel bottling means each release has its own personality.

Absolutely — but it shines in spirit-forward cocktails rather than mixed drinks. Use it in an Old Fashioned, a Manhattan, a Boulevardier, or a Sazerac, where the 100-proof intensity and rye-spice character can come through. Save the lower-priced Four Roses Small Batch ($37.99) for highballs or punch. For more bourbon cocktail inspiration, browse the full Bourbon collection.

Four Roses is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, at one of the most historic operating distilleries in the state (originally built in 1910). The brand is owned by Kirin Holdings of Japan, which has invested heavily in the operation while preserving the unique ten-recipe production model. The Lawrenceburg facility offers tours and is a popular Kentucky Bourbon Trail destination.

Yes — Four Roses offers retailers and bars the chance to taste through and select individual barrels, with the option to choose from any of the ten recipes (not just the standard OBSV used for the regular Single Barrel release). Private picks often feature recipes like OESV, OBSF, or OESK that aren't available in the standard bottling, making them collectible. Watch our Allocated & Rare collection for limited Four Roses releases.