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Four Roses Small Batch vs Old Forester Statesman
Comparing Four Roses Small Batch and Old Forester Statesman is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$32 – $38 vs. ~$50 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | Old Forester Statesman |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$32 – $38 ~$18 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- 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.
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Old Forester Statesman
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10
fruit 7/7 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
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 lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman).