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Four Roses Small Batch vs Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Put Four Roses Small Batch next to Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$32 – $38 ~$55 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
oak 5/8 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
fruit 7/6 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)).