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Four Roses Single Barrel vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Comparing Four Roses Single Barrel and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$300 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/4 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
heat 6/7 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- 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 Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).