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Four Roses Bourbon vs Bulleit Bourbon
Four Roses Bourbon and Bulleit Bourbon are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (80 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$22 – $28 | ~$25 – $32 |
- 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.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/7 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
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 Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).