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Four Roses Bourbon vs Four Roses Small Batch
Four Roses Bourbon and Four Roses Small Batch 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 | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% 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 ~$10 less | ~$32 – $38 |
- 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.
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/5 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).