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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Four Roses Small Batch Select
Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Four Roses Small Batch Select are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (100 vs. 104).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Four Roses Small Batch Select |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | 6 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 ~$5 less | ~$55 – $65 |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Four Roses Small Batch Select
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/8 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- 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 Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending at a slightly lower price point.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select).