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Evan Williams Black Label vs Four Roses Small Batch
Put Evan Williams Black Label next to Four Roses Small Batch and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$14 – $18 ~$19 less | ~$32 – $38 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/7 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
heat 3/4 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- 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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a lower price point.
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).