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Four Roses Single Barrel vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Four Roses Single Barrel and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$16 – $22 ~$31 less |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 7/4 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).