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Four Roses Small Batch vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Put Four Roses Small Batch next to Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against an uncut, high-wheat heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +21 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$32 – $38 ~$47 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).