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Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) vs Four Roses Small Batch Select
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) and Four Roses Small Batch Select sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) | Four Roses Small Batch Select |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +6 proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$55 – $65 ~$30 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 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
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) Four Roses Small Batch Select
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/6 oak: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
fruit 6/8 fruit: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10
heat 8/6 heat: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10
spice 7/7 spice: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal.
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)); neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select).