Which Four Roses expression should I buy?

[enn]

Hello,

I'd like to give Four Roses another chance after being unimpressed with one of the expressions (don't remember which) a few years ago. But Binny's has a ton of options:

Small Batch - $29.99
Yellow Label - $19.99
Single Barrel - $38.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSQ Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESQ Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSF Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESK Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESO Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSV Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESF Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSK Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSO Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
2011 Limited Edition Small Batch - $79.99
2011 Single Barrel Limited Edition Vintage - $79.99
2012 Single Barrel Limited Edition Vintage - $79.99

(I don't know if all of these are actually in stock.)

The $80 bottles are a bit steep for me. The $55 bottles fall right about at my upper limit, but if I'm spending that much I don't want to just pick one of nine (!) different mash bills and just hope it's good. So which one of these should I grab? I tend to like older bourbons, I love Weller 12, loved EC18, and loved some of the EWSB bottlings.

[AaronWF]

I'm a big fan of their OBSQ and OBSV selections, if you can still find them. Otherwise, the standard single barrel is just about as good as you can buy for < $40, though like any single barrel offering, taste will vary between bottles.

[petrel800]

I like the spiciness of the OBSK, but obviously these bottles very greatly from bottle to bottle. I had a bottle from the party source in KY and enjoyed it immensely. At the end of the day, hard to go wrong with the standard Single Barrel. I always seem to have one open on my bar at home.

[Ejmharris]

Hello,

I'd like to give Four Roses another chance after being unimpressed with one of the expressions (don't remember which) a few years ago. But Binny's has a ton of options:

Small Batch - $29.99
Yellow Label - $19.99
Single Barrel - $38.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSQ Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESQ Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSF Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESK Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESO Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSV Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESF Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSK Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSO Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
2011 Limited Edition Small Batch - $79.99
2011 Single Barrel Limited Edition Vintage - $79.99
2012 Single Barrel Limited Edition Vintage - $79.99

(I don't know if all of these are actually in stock.)

The $80 bottles are a bit steep for me. The $55 bottles fall right about at my upper limit, but if I'm spending that much I don't want to just pick one of nine (!) different mash bills and just hope it's good. So which one of these should I grab? I tend to like older bourbons, I love Weller 12, loved EC18, and loved some of the EWSB bottlings.

I would say if you are just getting your feet wet with 4R's try the single barrel and or the small batch. You really can't go wrong with either. Some of the normal single barrels have been a favorite of mine. I have not had Binnys barrel proof SB's but I have had party sources SB's and the OESK has been my favorite. Read the four roses web site and the my describe each of their recipes and some general tasting notes.

[humchan2k]

I agree - 4R Single Barrel is a dream of a whiskey. Small Batch is a bit thin for my liking, but still, any 4R product is good!

[berto]

I've tried the Yellow Label and the basic Small Batch. Small Batch hands down.

[Young Blacksmith]

Four Roses is different than other distilleries. Heaven Hill puts out one mashbill at several ages, so if you like one, chances are you will like another. 4R does several mashbills and several ages, so it's a bit harder to dismiss the whole or like the whole just trying one.

For instance I love yellow label, don't really dig small batch, and some of the single barrels are just OK. But I also rate an OESK one of the best whiskeys I've had to date.

Knowing that, here's my opinion: Try yellow label. See how it works for you, it's cheap enough. If you like the spicy sweetness, try the standard single barrel. See how it treats you. Take your time and explore gently, as your curiosity dictates. Remember, most of the 4R products are high rye, one of the highest if I remember right. Looking at my notes they have 2 rye contents, 35% and 20%. It may be that high rye, slightly younger whiskeys are not to your liking right now, or ever.

If you've tried Bulleit, you've pretty much tried the small batch, I think it's that similar.

Everyone's taste is different, the only thing you can do is try them!

[Josh]

Hello,

I'd like to give Four Roses another chance after being unimpressed with one of the expressions (don't remember which) a few years ago. But Binny's has a ton of options:

Small Batch - $29.99
Yellow Label - $19.99
Single Barrel - $38.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSQ Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESQ Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSF Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESK Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESO Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSV Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OESF Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSK Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSO Binny's Handpicked - $54.99
2011 Limited Edition Small Batch - $79.99
2011 Single Barrel Limited Edition Vintage - $79.99
2012 Single Barrel Limited Edition Vintage - $79.99

(I don't know if all of these are actually in stock.)

The $80 bottles are a bit steep for me. The $55 bottles fall right about at my upper limit, but if I'm spending that much I don't want to just pick one of nine (!) different mash bills and just hope it's good. So which one of these should I grab? I tend to like older bourbons, I love Weller 12, loved EC18, and loved some of the EWSB bottlings.

All of them.

Seriously, though, you can't go wrong with any of those, except for the F yeast ones. Stay away.

[Clavius]

Personally, I prefer the SmB over the SB. The few bottles of the SB I've had have always been hot and one dimensional to me. Whereas the standard SmB seems to have a little more complexity to it. As for the more rare/special editions, I've only had the 2010 SmB and did not care for it at all.

[MyOldKyDram]

Most recent TPS one we got was the OESQ, and I can't say enough good things about it.

[White Dog]

All of them.

Seriously, though, you can't go wrong with any of those, except for the F yeast ones. Stay away.

But he's also serious when he says "All of them." If you don't try everything, you'll always be wondering.

[nivto]

If it's your first time back with Four Roses in some time and you're looking for one to win you over I'd say OBSK is your best bet.

[Brisko]

Personally, I prefer the small batch, but I think it happens to rub me just the right way. Since you like older bourbons, I would recommend the standard single barrel for starters. It isn't all that old (ranging from 8 to 10 if I recall) but they tend to show a lot of barrel influence. Plus it's not a huge investment.

[Josh]

But he's also serious when he says "All of them." If you don't try everything, you'll always be wondering.

Yes, the mind meld was sucessful.

[spinningrecords]

I own them all and haven't found one I don't like.

[HighInTheMtns]

I'm drinking some TPS OBSQ right now. It's fantastic, it gets better with every pour. When I bought it, I also got an OBSK. At first it was clear that OBSK was my favorite of the two; now, not so clear - both are great; these are some wonderful bourbons. I don't think you can go wrong.

My best advice is for you to evaluate the mashbills and recipes and decide on one or two that appeal the most to you. But I think that ultimately the only answer is "all of them."

[JLH3]

Personally, I prefer the small batch, but I think it happens to rub me just the right way. Since you like older bourbons, I would recommend the standard single barrel for starters. It isn't all that old (ranging from 8 to 10 if I recall) but they tend to show a lot of barrel influence. Plus it's not a huge investment.

I'm also a big fan of the Small Batch.

[Rutherford]

I also generally prefer the standard small batch over anything else 4R I've had, including the single barrel and the latest LE small batch. It is elegant, complex, and smooth without being muddled. The single barrel seems more one-dimensional to me.

[p_elliott]

Stu had one at the Houston get together that was just outstanding but I can't remember the mashbill on it. Stu would you care to share it with us?

[samstone]

Ive only had 2 of the expressions listed. In my opinion the small batch is better than the Single Barrel and cheaper, so its the Small batch hands down for me. Went through 2 bottles of it last month

[tanstaafl2]

Happened to pass through my local store just as the 2012 Limited Edition Small Batch was hitting the shelves (well, not so much going on the shelf but rather being tucked away behind the counter. I was able to secure one of the few bottles not yet already promised) so I decided to give it a try. Don't have much recent experience with FR although I had a bit of it (yellow label I would guess) back in the day. I did pick up a bottle of the 2011 Limited Edition Single Barrel last year but unlike most of the whiskeys I buy I didn't ever get around to trying it.

Reviews seem to be a bit mixed on the 2011 SB LE so I was thinking it might be a nice option to bring the GBS gathering this weekend and see what some experienced bourbon enthusiasts thought of it!

[trumpstylz]

I'm drinking some TPS OBSQ right now. It's fantastic, it gets better with every pour. When I bought it, I also got an OBSK. At first it was clear that OBSK was my favorite of the two; now, not so clear - both are great; these are some wonderful bourbons. I don't think you can go wrong.

I vote oesq or obsq- the q is far and away the most unique thing they churn out. K is probably the most traditional (not necessarily in a bad way).

Call around- I think the lincoln park/marcey street location had at least a few bottles open at the service desk for sampling, although it is likely that it is a previous barreling, it will no doubt point you in the right direction.

[Dolph Lundgren]

Small batch is a great entry bottle. I brought a bottle to a Halloween party full of non-bourbon drinkers and it was gone in an hour.

[Josh]

As far as the individual recipe single barrels go, I would take a look at Dorothy's, I mean Oscar's, Four Roses Recipes thread and find the recipes for the ltd. ed. single barrels and try some of those. Might be a nice place to start.

[LongBeachScott]

I would recommend starting with a bottle of the small batch and a bottle of the regular single barrel. They are reasonably priced and I have never been disappointed by either one (although I prefer the single barrel).