BOTM 5/11: Four Roses Yellow Label

[Josh]

I don't know if I mentioned this upthread, but I think 4R makes a great Manhattan and a good Old Fashioned.

It also does very well in my favorite cocktail: Middle or quality lower shelf bourbon + 2 ice cubes +the right amount of bitters +1-2 dashes more. For the bitters I use either Angostura or Fee's oak-aged. Sometimes I even go a little nuts and use Peychaud's.

[Jono]

I revisited this bourbon last night. When I first tried it several years ago I was not very impressed and it sat toward the back of the cabinet. However, I enjoyed it last night as it has a bright nose and pronounced rye character. Not sure what changed in my opinion but as I enjoy the other 4 Roses products mabye it is just appreciation for the flavor profile.

[G.H.Adams]

I like the Four Roses line as well. I was out of the Yellow Label expression and picked up 6 bottles on my recent trip to Minnesota. I am set for the time being.

[unclebunk]

I revisited this bourbon last night. When I first tried it several years ago I was not very impressed and it sat toward the back of the cabinet. However, I enjoyed it last night as it has a bright nose and pronounced rye character. Not sure what changed in my opinion but as I enjoy the other 4 Roses products mabye it is just appreciation for the flavor profile.

My exact same experience. As a lover of FRSB, I thought I'd really apreciate the Yellow Label but couldn't find much to enjoy. Six months later and it's like a different bottle. Still not my bourbon of choice in the under $20 category but a good one nonetheless.

[StraightBoston]

As always, missed the BOTM during its M. Joining the chorus who like it as a summertime sipper. FRYL is one of the few labels that I buy in multiples when on sale as a guilt-free go-to pour with ice or in cocktails.

I very much prefer the "blend" with its floral notes to the recipes in FRSmB, or the standard FR1B for that matter.

(Cracker, let me know if your CA plans fall through and I'll shoot you a Japanese 700ml bottle -- better price than OR even at a lousy exchange rate!)

[mrviognier]

I really enjoy the 4R Small Batch, am a big fan of the 4R SB, and covet my bottles of Mariage, but the Yellow Label has always left me shaking my head. Cracked a bottle of this last night, and have to say it still doesn't do much for me. I'm sure it has a lot to do with being 80 proof. Always leaves me wondering what it'd taste like at 86 or - even better - 90.

I'll always have a bottle behind the bar, but it'll never make my 'go to' list. I do see the weakness (literally and figuratively) of this Bourbon as a big detriment to the brand. There's a lot of justifiable hype about 4R, and this buzz will cause a lot of whiskey drinkers to buy a bottle (or glass) of Yellow Label...and might just lead them to that there's more sizzle than steak to the entire 4R portfolio.

Four Roses Yellow Label serves as an 'introduction' to this wonderful distillery...and, IMHO it's not a good introduction. That old saying that 'you only have one chance to make a first impression' holds true here.

[ebo]

I really enjoy the 4R Small Batch, am a big fan of the 4R SB, and covet my bottles of Mariage, but the Yellow Label has always left me shaking my head. Cracked a bottle of this last night, and have to say it still doesn't do much for me. I'm sure it has a lot to do with being 80 proof. Always leaves me wondering what it'd taste like at 86 or - even better - 90.

I'll always have a bottle behind the bar, but it'll never make my 'go to' list. I do see the weakness (literally and figuratively) of this Bourbon as a big detriment to the brand. There's a lot of justifiable hype about 4R, and this buzz will cause a lot of whiskey drinkers to buy a bottle (or glass) of Yellow Label...and might just lead them to that there's more sizzle than steak to the entire 4R portfolio.

Four Roses Yellow Label serves as an 'introduction' to this wonderful distillery...and, IMHO it's not a good introduction. That old saying that 'you only have one chance to make a first impression' holds true here.

I agree with your whole post... and especially the highlighted part. If I had tried the Yellow Label first, I don't think I would have spent more to try any of the others.

[edo]

Okay. I WAS WRONG. Or I've changed my mind. Got a bottle on sale for ¥1080 [$13] (for office use ). One of the usuals showed up at quitting time, sniffing around, so I cracked it. My colleague thinks himself a SMSW drinker, so gave the face when he saw it was bourbon. AND, as I've said, I had some about 6 years ago, and never felt the urge to try it again ... until now. It was tasty, much more flavorful than I remember, still light, but not bad at all for an 80 proofer. Even the SMSW drinker commented on how much he enjoyed the pour.

Just got in with two more bottles for home use. Again, a positive review from both me and my wife.

I was wrong, and I promise to stop dissing Four Roses products. Might even try ... small batch ... or something.

[STLbourbon]

I'm a 4R fan, namely the Single Barrel. Hadn't tried the Yellow label in a long time. Just tonight I found it at Shop-N-Save for $11.98 a bottle, so I had to grab one. It's very light, easy to drink, but what really stands out is that it's distinctly that Four Roses flavor, it's right there. A decent cheap pour for sure.

I mean, $11.98... c'mon...

STLb

[Photodudems]

$17.95 in Va...... All the rest are $20+ if I recall... I would reach for the 4R before the JD, OF and JBB....as for the others I suppose it depends on the night.....

Just today, I picked up a bottle on sale in VA for $13. Stopped me from grabbing my usual EW BIB. I figure it would be nice to try one, and I don't think my party guests over the weekend will be into a 100proof bourbon like the EW.