Four Roses Single Barrel OESF selected by Tippins Market in Ann Arbor, MI.
Region: Kentucky, Warehouse No. JE, Barrel No. 31-4N
Mashbill: 75% Corn/20% Rye/5% Malted Barley
ABV: 60.5%
Chill-filtered: No
Container: Glencairn Neat
Colour: Mahogany
Nose: A tiny bit of sharp ethanol, vanilla, oak, caramel, Christmas mint candy, brown sugar.
Everything is well balanced, wouldn’t have guessed the 60.5% ABV from the nose, nothing overpowering on the nose, rather tamed, would’ve expected a more intense nose.
Palate: Really different from the regular FR Single Barrel, mint candy, caramel, slightly dry on the palate, touch of pepper, touch of oak, dark chocolate.
I was expecting some sort of oak bomb, but I was greeted by a very well-constructed flavour profile.
Finish: Medium-long finish, pepper, earthy, oak, minty sugar, touch of bitter oak at the very end.
Rather nice finish, the bitter oak wasn’t in a bad way, rounds things off nicely.
Score: 87/100
A rather surprising dram, coming from single malt whisky, I find the regular Four Roses Single Barrel (45%) to be okay at best, but this is a completely different beast! It is well balanced, the flavour is very pleasant, and I get the surprise of finding the minty notes! Most of the bourbon I’ve tried are rather “generic” in terms of nose and flavour, but this stands out from the crowd.