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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Four Roses Small Batch
Comparing Eagle Rare 12 Year and Four Roses Small Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 | ~$32 – $38 ~$30 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year 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
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak 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 Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak.
- 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).