Compare
Four Roses Small Batch vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Comparing Four Roses Small Batch and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$32 – $38 ~$315 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
fruit 7/4 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
heat 4/7 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
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 Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with significantly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).