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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Jim Beam Black
On paper Four Roses Small Batch Select and Jim Beam Black are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (104 vs. 86) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | 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 | 6 years | 7 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +18 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$22 – $28 ~$35 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 Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Jim Beam Black
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/3 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- 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 Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle 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, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black).