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Four Roses Single Barrel vs Jim Beam Black
Four Roses Single Barrel and Jim Beam Black are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (100 vs. 86).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | Jim Beam Black |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 7 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$22 – $28 ~$25 less |
- Jim Beam Black 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/4 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
fruit 7/3 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range with more proof behind it.
- Go with Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).