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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Put Four Roses Small Batch Select next to Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, high-wheat craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | 6 years |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) | 106 proof (53% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$50 – $55 ~$8 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/3 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
fruit 8/8 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).