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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Four Roses Small Batch
Comparing Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Four Roses Small Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (100 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$32 – $38 ~$20 less |
- 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/7 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
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 with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).