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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Four Roses Small Batch Select
Comparing Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Four Roses Small Batch Select reveals a matchup between an uncut, wheated heavyweight and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Four Roses Small Batch Select |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +7 proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 | ~$55 – $65 ~$22 less |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Four Roses Small Batch Select
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/8 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10
spice 5/7 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
heat 7/6 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth.
- 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 at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select).