Four Roses OESO vs OBSV?

[PaulO]

I've been enjoying the regular Single Barrel (OBSV). Since I know we have some FR fans around here, how does the OESO compare? I realize the special selections are higher proof, the mash has more corn, and the yeast is different. Is there anything you can compare it to?

[Old Dusty]

Haven't tried the O yeast. I have been eyeballing some O private selections at a local retailer where i suspect you got yours. Let me know what you think.

[393foureyedfox]

whichever is over 110 proof.....

[hectic1]

whichever is over 110 proof.....

I have no idea what you're getting at here...you select bottles to drink based on abv? :confused:

[GaryT]

I prefer high-rye mashbills, and did a blind tasting of 3 FRSB (OBSO, OBSK, OBSV) all diluted to 100 proof (excluding the OBSV which was the 100 proof retail variety). I did notice a difference in the yeast. The "O" yeast was my favorite, as it definitely had more fruit notes, maintained the spice I love about rye, but did have as much pepper as "K". I thought "V" was also nice, but just a bit more subdued. Now these differences were nuanced - I imagine that most days of the week I might not detect some of the differences. But IMHO, the only way to find out is to taste for yourself.

To your original question - I've never owned an OE FRSB, but I would imagine that with less rye the results would be sweeter. I sorta wonder if I might prefer the K yeast on an OE just to off-set that sweetness, or if I'd still go for the O. I have it on my bucket list to own at some some portion of each of the 10 (but without spending $500 to do it!) If I could get 4 friends interested in the quest, I guess it would be about $110 a piece to own a 150 mL of each of the 10 recipes. Seems like a good deal to me (not that the recipe is everything obviously, you've got age to consider, bottling proof, etc - but I think it would be a telling experiment!)

[393foureyedfox]

I have no idea what you're getting at here...you select bottles to drink based on abv? :confused:

its pretty much come down to that for me, so yeah. ive found nothing below 100 proof i will care to buy again, and little in the 100 proof range either.

with regards to 4R though, its my own experience. i tried a 58% ( IIRC ) at a bar in Cincy and liked it, yet any other 50% 4R stuff i have tried since, i just plain did not like. so, with 4R, i wont be buying it again unless i see it over 55% again like the first one.

[squire]

There's something to be said for singularity in taste.

[MyOldKyDram]

You should just make a few trips down to Lburg, foureyed.

[AaronWF]

I think the descriptions that 4R uses to differentiate between their recipes are pretty much spot on, but they far from tell the whole story. Each barrel is different, often drastically so. I used to think I preferred B recipes to E recipes, but as I've tasted more and more 1Bs, I've learned that I would be foolish to stick with that dogma. I might prefer an OESO with an emphasized flavor profile to an OBSV whose taste characteristics are faded or muted.

If you're talking novelty, generic barrel picks, I'd tend to rely on that stated preference, but if you're talking about a more personal, discerning barrel selection, I'd take it no matter the recipe. Just like any 1B selection, it all depends on the palate of the selector and what they were going for with the pick. Did they pick their favorite, or did they go for a barrel just to fill retail space? Did they even pick it at all, or did they buy something the distributor bought without tasting?

[GaryT]

Great point, Aaron. If I were ever to get a chance to select a private barrel, I'd want to do it blindly (not knowing the recipe or age) and just pick what tastes the best.

[mbroo5880i]

I have only tried the regular single barrel. When I looked at mashbills and yeasts, it is the one that I thought matched my tastes. And it did! Of course, I have nothing else in the Four Roses line to compare it to, except for the SmB. I think that 100 proof works just fine for me. I guess one question that I have is how much different would I expect a limited edition or private barrel of the OBSV to be? I just can't imagine it getting much better. However, I can see how, some of the other mashbills and yeasts would be of interest and the only way to know if I like them equal or better to OBSV would be to try them.

[Restaurant man]

Great point, Aaron. If I were ever to get a chance to select a private barrel, I'd want to do it blindly (not knowing the recipe or age) and just pick what tastes the best.

I think you'd get your wish. On barrel proof tastings they give you one of each recipe to select from so I wouldn't imagine that you'd want to have a cheat sheet. Just line em up and pick it out.

[kcgumbohead]

Can't speak to the OESO but I did taste and purchase a OBSO gift shop release. I haven't opened my bottle yet but the taste I had at the distillery followed the 4R website description for OESO more so than their description of the OBSO IMO. In other words I tasted a lot of fruit which I really enjoyed and wasn't leaving without a bottle. Same yeast, different mashbill but I still got plenty of fruit even with the higher rye "B". So it would seem that the "O" is fruit forward in both mashbill expressions. I think the other giftshop specific choice might even have been OESO, I should have just bought both. I certainly am a fan of standard OBSV but all these other recipes are really intriguing and I too would love to tour them all at some point, so far 2 down, 8 to go!!