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Four Roses Bourbon vs Ancient Age
On paper Four Roses Bourbon and Ancient Age are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$22 – $28 vs. ~$14 – $18) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Ancient Age |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 | ~$14 – $18 ~$9 less |
- Ancient Age 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
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Ancient Age
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/4 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Ancient Age 5 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
oak 3/3 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Ancient Age 3 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Ancient Age 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); cocktails, highball (Ancient Age).