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Four Roses Bourbon vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Four Roses Bourbon and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +36 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$325 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/8 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
heat 2/7 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with significantly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).