Four Roses and Why I Hate Going to Specs

[smknjoe]

...nobody ever knows FOR SURE what they are talking about there. They mean well but that's about it.

I picked up some bourbons today that a few of you recommended last night and the 4R LE 2012 was highly recommended.

What I purchased:

OGD 114 x 2

Buffalo Trace

Rittenhouse Rye BIB

VOB 86 proof (no BIB)

and Four Roses LE SMALL BATCH 2012 ($82.00)

They told me that the Single Barrel was cheaper @ $32 and was not as good. I didn't actually see a bottle of it though. After I got to my car I went back in to double check and they assured me I got the "correct" one.

Should I take this back and get the single barrel LE if they have it? I don't really care for the standard Small Batch @ $26.00.

[SFS]

Joe, let me know what you think after you open whatever you decide to keep. I didn't know until today (reading another thread) that there is a LE SmBatch AND a LE Single Barrell. However, I'm with you on the standard Small Batch at about $26 - it wasn't for me, and now I'm almost too spooked to go buy the regular Single Barrel.

[squire]

You could take it back and think about it while you drink some OGD.

[Mikede1285]

I think you're fine to stick with the LE SmB 2012 over the LE SB 2012. They are going to be around the same price if you can find both, which at this point is pretty challenging. I have a few bottles of the Smb LE 2012 and it is one of the best bourbons I've ever had. I have not tried the SB LE 2012 but have tried the last two prior releases of that and they were excellent as well. However, if you do have the extra dough to pick up the a LE SB 2012 and can find one it wouldn't be a bad idea to grab it while you can.

The Single Barrel they are referring to at $32 is their standard release SB and not the LE.

[DaveOfAtl]

Both Limited Edition 2012 offerings are incredible. The 2012 LE SmB is the best bourbon I had last year, and it bears no resemblance to the standard Small Batch whatsoever. I only wish I could find more. You can't go wrong with either one, unless you just don't like the Four Roses style.

[wadewood]

Oh they folks at Specs know what they are talking about. They are talking about whatever product has the biggest SPIFF (sales incentive bonus) that particular day. They will also push you to lines they have exclusives on in Houston such as KBD products. Here is a little tip, look at the shelf tag, if it has "WD" these means is Warehouse Direct. Per state law, the Retailer, Wholesaler and Manafacturer can't be own by same person/company, but it is pretty easy to setup a separate company in your sister's name for example.

[smknjoe]

I called and the guy told me that they were the same thing (Small Batch and Single Barrel.) I guess I'll hold onto it even though it's not the one I thought it was. Thanks for the info and I will let you know what I think when I get around to opening it.

On a different note, the Buffalo Trace has a sticker that says: Single Barrel Select - selected for Spec's by Harlen Wheatley. Makes me feel like I got something special here!

[BillP]

I have a hard time finding any of the LE versions here. But I really like the 4RSB. Looking forward to your take.

[MyOldKyDram]

Stick with the LE SmB. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

[HighInTheMtns]

Something I am noticing regarding recent new users and FR: the belief that SmB LE is a nicer version of SmB and that SB LE is a nicer version of SB. Guys, please take a look at the Four Roses 10 Recipes thread or even go see what FR's website has to say about the recipes. FR is running a significantly different operation than the other distillers and makes a wide variety of bourbon. Disliking the standard SmB is no reason to not give a try to the SB or to the LEs (if you can handle the cost anyway.)

[SFS]

Thanks for the reminder High, I've spent a not inconsiderable amount of time studying Oscar V's 4R whiskey tree. Tomorrow, I'll do some searching for 4R threads in general.

[smknjoe]

My total noobness is apparent! I'll do some more reading for sure. Eighty bucks is the most I've ever spent on a single bottle of bourbon. So, I just wanted to make sure that I got the "right" one that was suggested. I'm sure (telling myself) it will be a good pour. I'm not opening it for a while though. I have at least 2 or 3 out of today's buy to try tonight.

[HighInTheMtns]

My total noobness is apparent! I'll do some more reading for sure. Eighty bucks is the most I've ever spent on a single bottle of bourbon. So, I just wanted to make sure that I got the "right" one that was suggested. I'm sure (telling myself) it will be a good pour. I'm not opening it for a while though. I have at least 2 or 3 out of today's buy to try tonight.

Nothin' wrong with being new to something. And definitely nothing wrong with wanting to be right about what you're spending that kind of cash on.

I had the same experience with SmB as you guys. I love just about everything else I've tried from FR. Hate to see people getting scared off from something great.

[smknjoe]

Something I am noticing regarding recent new users and FR: the belief that SmB LE is a nicer version of SmB and that SB LE is a nicer version of SB. Guys, please take a look at the Four Roses 10 Recipes thread or even go see what FR's website has to say about the recipes. FR is running a significantly different operation than the other distillers and makes a wide variety of bourbon. Disliking the standard SmB is no reason to not give a try to the SB or to the LEs (if you can handle the cost anyway.)

After reading through Oscar's thread you pointed out - it looks like the recipe selection in the standard Small Batch is quite different from what is in the 2012 Small Batch LE. Thanks for the info! Does the bottle number matter, or is it mainly marketing?

[yountvillewjs]

After reading through Oscar's thread you pointed out - it looks like the recipe selection in the standard Small Batch is quite different from what is in the 2012 Small Batch LE. Thanks for the info! Does the bottle number matter, or is it mainly marketing?

bottle number means nothing

[weller_tex]

Spec's still has a lot of the 2011 LE SmB..I bought a bottle. Hopefully they will have a few 2012 LE SmB left when it's my bday in July. I love the 2011 LE SmB. I'd recommend picking it up as well. I like the FR standard SmB, but I was hoping to get the standard SB but looks like they don't carry it anymore. I did not see a tag for it next to the standard FR SmB. I don't really expect sales people to do anything but make as much money as they can for their boss. I try to do as much research as I can on my own before I go. For the most part though I find the sales people at the DT Spec's to be helpful. Not so at my local Specs..

[SFS]

Which one is your local?

[smknjoe]

Yeah they had a few of the 2011's. I didn't see any more of the 2012's but I could have missed them. They keep them locked up. The only 4R I saw on the "open" shelves was the yellow label yesterday. Just figured they were out of the other stuff because of the holidays.

I know I should do my own research before I head out (that's REALLY what irritated me), but it would be nice to have more help (knowledge) than what I usually get.

[Mickbourbon]

I saw 4R Le single barrel at barrel strength today for $45.99 today, is that a good price?? I am not too familiar with it. Thanks

[MyOldKyDram]

Uh yeah, if it's one of their annual LEs then that's about $30-40 cheaper, depending. If it was a Private Selection by a local store then that's fair value, maybe even a few bucks cheaper.

[Mickbourbon]

Uh yeah, if it's one of their annual LEs then that's about $30-40 cheaper, depending. If it was a Private Selection by a local store then that's fair value, maybe even a few bucks cheaper.

I will have to go grab a couple then. Thanks

[smknjoe]

The yearly Small Batch LE goes for $82 here and the yearly Single Barrel LE goes for $92 (they had to look up the price when I bought mine - even though they say they are the same bourbon.) Looks like an excellent find.

[Mickbourbon]

The yearly Small Batch LE goes for $82 here and the yearly Single Barrel LE goes for $92 (they had to look up the price when I bought mine - even though they say they are the same bourbon.) Looks like an excellent find.

There seems to be so many of them at my age I get confused. I am off now to grab them before the game tonite. Thanks

[jeffrey r]

I saw 4R Le single barrel at barrel strength today for $45.99 today, is that a good price?? I am not too familiar with it. Thanks

Methinks it must be a private bottling, not a LE. No reason for one of the true LE releases to be priced that low. And that matches up with the general pricing of the private bottlings. Good luck though.

[Mickbourbon]

Methinks it must be a private bottling, not a LE. No reason for one of the true LE releases to be priced that low. And that matches up with the general pricing of the private bottlings. Good luck though.

They had 3 bottles and I was going to buy all of them but it rang up at $84.99 each. Long story short it was mismarked on the shelf and I only bought one at a 10% discount.

I had a feeling it was TGTBT.