Four Roses, Retailers Wasting Barrel Selection on OBSV

[ramblinman]

Smaller local shop that I like giving my business to, did their own barrel selection at Four Roses, I was excited having been wanting to try some of their other recipes, but then disappointed. They went with OBSV, which I guess I understand a bit as they won't turn off their clientele with something that tastes nothing like the FRSB that they know, but if you're going to all the trouble of going up to KY and selecting your own why not bring back something a little different than the standard offering?

Either way, I of course bought one . It was $5 cheaper than their usual FRSB price, and after a glass or two it was a fine selection, and the one I already had was on its last legs anyway.

Do the shops that you guys frequent do the same with their FRSB bottlings, or are my mongers just a bit gunshy with this being their first one?

[Restaurant man]

You only have 1 choice. OBSV. Unless you go with barrel strength. Then u have a choice of all ten recipes.

[ramblinman]

You only have 1 choice. OBSV. Unless you go with barrel strength. Then u have a choice of all ten recipes.

Ah, well that explains it! I wish they would have swung for the fences with a barrel strength selection, but that makes a lot of sense.

Thank you for the info.

[Josh]

Kinda like Henry Ford said re: the Model T. You can have any color you like, as long as it's black.

[MauiSon]

I'd say that $5 discount off the regular price is way cool.

[Restaurant man]

I've done 2 OBSV so far for the restaurant. Barrel strength doesn't really fit for "on premise" consumption. People aren't there to play with their whiskey.

[GaryT]

When last in Louisville, I had several private barrel selection options at Liquor Barn, and settled on a 4RSB precisely because it was different (OBSK - 35% rye; 10 yrs, 9 mo 121.6 proof). Well - I do tend to like high-rye so that was like a bonus. I wasn't aware of the limitations based on proof for selection. High proof (which comes along with higher prices typically) might turn off customers who are used to paying one price for 4RSB, although I'm glad there are stores out there who take that chance :grin: This has been by far my favorite 4RSB purchase.

[Richnimrod]

So..... Anyone who knows for sure.... Please clarify for one who is clueless.... Is there another(s) option(s) for barrel selections at Four Roses???? ...Or is the earlier post by Restaurant man the true skinny?

[Phil T]

So..... Anyone who knows for sure.... Please clarify for one who is clueless.... Is there another(s) option(s) for barrel selections at Four Roses???? ...Or is the earlier post by Restaurant man the true skinny?

Using TPS as an example:

You can get all ten recipes at barrel strength for $49.99 each

You can also get their own selection of standard FRSB for $31.99

[Flyfish]

So..... Anyone who knows for sure.... Please clarify for one who is clueless.... Is there another(s) option(s) for barrel selections at Four Roses???? ...Or is the earlier post by Restaurant man the true skinny?

Assuming you know that 4R has 2 mash bills and 5 yeast strains that yield 10 different bourbons. All 10 go in Yellow Label. Four go in the Small Batch. The standard Single Barrel is the OBSV recipe. A private selection of the SB is going to be the same recipe as the standard SB. Hence the question, What's the point? One answer is that the particular barrel may be "special" just as a private selection of any bourbon is special in some respect. 4R also offers the option of barrel strength selections that can be from any of the ten recipes.

[Tucker]

Either way, I of course bought one . It was $5 cheaper than their usual FRSB price, and after a glass or two it was a fine selection, and the one I already had was on its last legs anyway.

I'm guessing Toco Giant. If so, not a bad selection. The first few pours seemed a little hot but it's tamed down some now that I'm about half way through the bottle. Good flavor.

[ramblinman]

I'm guessing Toco Giant. If so, not a bad selection. The first few pours seemed a little hot but it's tamed down some now that I'm about half way through the bottle. Good flavor.

Actually Dekalb Bottle House on Briarcliff. Generally a small selection, but owners/managers seem like nice guys who at least know whats on their shelves or if they're going to get it if I ask (no Rittenhouse last time I went by and asked, said they've had it on order for a few weeks but hasn't shown up, maybe part of the swapover to HH juice maybe just BS?). $35 and change for the FRSB.

Edited April 14, 2013 by ramblinman

[White Dog]

I've done 2 OBSV so far for the restaurant. Barrel strength doesn't really fit for "on premise" consumption. People aren't there to play with their whiskey.

You really think so? Many top on-prem in Wisconsin pride themselves on using barrel strength whiskeys and over-proof gins for signature cocktails, as the flavors are more pronounced. They may use a bit less spirit in the drink, and that's okay, as the flavors are fantastic.

In fact, some of the best cocktails I've been served involve Willett Rye at 110pr and Royal Dock Gin at 114pr.

[Tucker]

Actually Dekalb Bottle House on Briarcliff. Generally a small selection, but owners/managers seem like nice guys who at least know whats on their shelves or if they're going to get it if I ask (no Rittenhouse last time I went by and asked, said they've had it on order for a few weeks but hasn't shown up, maybe part of the swapover to HH juice maybe just BS?). $35 and change for the FRSB.

[petrel800]

I'm just excited to see some ATL retailers going the barrel selection route. Even the big boys have (Tower, Greens, . . .) been few and far between, so hopefully this one works out for the retailer and they try it again. I guess we just need to think of this as a baby step towards progress, I mean it's only been a year or 2 now that you could buy a bottle on Sunday in GA.

[Brisko]

A restaurant near me did a 4R selection this summer, also 100 proof OBSV. It's slightly different than others I have had, but not far and away better than what I can buy down the street at the liquor store. The real crime is that they're charging $11 a pour for it.

[squire]

Well, it is specially selected after all.

[GaryT]

That's close to my office, I know it well but I haven't been by in a few months. I'll pick one up. Thanks.

I was there on Saturday for the first time and the gent mentioned that he would love to do another later this year. Might want to mention the barrel proof options if you stop by :-)

[sob0728]

A restaurant near me did a 4R selection this summer, also 100 proof OBSV. It's slightly different than others I have had, but not far and away better than what I can buy down the street at the liquor store. The real crime is that they're charging $11 a pour for it.

3 Squares? If so, just stick with their awesome selection of beers when you are there.

[Brisko]

3 Squares? If so, just stick with their awesome selection of beers when you are there.

[tanstaafl2]

I was there on Saturday for the first time and the gent mentioned that he would love to do another later this year. Might want to mention the barrel proof options if you stop by :-)

[tanstaafl2]

I'm guessing Toco Giant. If so, not a bad selection. The first few pours seemed a little hot but it's tamed down some now that I'm about half way through the bottle. Good flavor.

Actually Dekalb Bottle House on Briarcliff. Generally a small selection, but owners/managers seem like nice guys who at least know whats on their shelves or if they're going to get it if I ask (no Rittenhouse last time I went by and asked, said they've had it on order for a few weeks but hasn't shown up, maybe part of the swapover to HH juice maybe just BS?). $35 and change for the FRSB.

[Richnimrod]

Assuming you know that 4R has 2 mash bills and 5 yeast strains that yield 10 different bourbons. All 10 go in Yellow Label. Four go in the Small Batch. The standard Single Barrel is the OBSV recipe. A private selection of the SB is going to be the same recipe as the standard SB. Hence the question, What's the point? One answer is that the particular barrel may be "special" just as a private selection of any bourbon is special in some respect. 4R also offers the option of barrel strength selections that can be from any of the ten recipes.

Thanx, Flyfish! Now I get it. A barrel strength of many of the recipes would likely be an interesting pour, though not all would be fabulous by themselves, I suppose. It would sure be fun to find out, eh?! :bigeyes:

[HighHorse]

I just returned from selecting barrels with our local Tallahassee Retailer (Market Square Liquors). At Four Roses we had thirty samples .. three from each receipe. Our goal was to rank the top of each receipe and then to rank them from best to worst of the best. When moving across the samples and coming to OBSV (the first of the "high rye" selections), it was like "wow"! There were 7 of us on the barrel team and the OBSV was the clear number one choice. How could you not pick it?

We did. But .. we also picked four other barrels .. from four other receipes. Four of our picks were from the higher rye and one for the lower (25%) rye. With what he had back home on the shelf, this will give him 6 or 7 receipes.

Lower proof was not discussed .. and was not something we considered. But this is not for a restaurant .. and that's a bit different. I can tell you that OBSV at barrel strength is mighty good juice. But then, most of you know that!:grin:

[Restaurant man]

I just returned from selecting barrels with our local Tallahassee Retailer (Market Square Liquors). At Four Roses we had thirty samples .. three from each receipe. Our goal was to rank the top of each receipe and then to rank them from best to worst of the best. When moving across the samples and coming to OBSV (the first of the "high rye" selections), it was like "wow"! There were 7 of us on the barrel team and the OBSV was the clear number one choice. How could you not pick it?

We did. But .. we also picked four other barrels .. from four other receipes. Four of our picks were from the higher rye and one for the lower (25%) rye. With what he had back home on the shelf, this will give him 6 or 7 receipes.

Lower proof was not discussed .. and was not something we considered. But this is not for a restaurant .. and that's a bit different. I can tell you that OBSV at barrel strength is mighty good juice. But then, most of you know that!:grin:

Well done high horse! Sounds like a great tasting.