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Ancient Age vs Four Roses Bourbon
On paper Ancient Age and Four Roses Bourbon are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$14 – $18 vs. ~$22 – $28) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Four Roses Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$9 less | ~$22 – $28 |
- Ancient Age does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Four Roses Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/6 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10
oak 3/3 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
- Go with Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon).