Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey 45% Vol. 0.7 L

Discover the beautifully balanced character of Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey 45% Vol. 0.7L, a premium Kentucky Straight Bourbon crafted by combining four carefully selected whiskey recipes. Produced at Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, this exceptional bourbon offers a distinctive combination of ripe red berries, rich caramel, sweet oak and gentle baking spices. Its smooth, rounded flavour reflects the expertise of the distillery's master blending team and the careful selection of mature American oak barrels.

Four Roses Small Batch is created from four of the distillery's ten signature bourbon recipes, using two different grain mixtures and two proprietary yeast strains to develop complementary fruit and spice characteristics. Each whiskey matures for approximately six to seven years in new charred American oak barrels before the selected components are blended to achieve a harmonious flavour. Bottled at 45% alcohol by volume, the finished bourbon offers an elegant balance of richness, freshness and gentle warmth. For Drinkero, Four Roses Small Batch is an excellent choice for Old Fashioned, Whisky Sour, Boulevardier, Bourbon Manhattan, Mint Julep and other classic whiskey cocktails where fruity complexity and refined bourbon character are especially desirable.

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Warm amber with rich golden reflections, developed through maturation in new charred American oak barrels.

Aroma: Rich fruit aromas with hints of sweet oak and caramel, supported by gentle spice and vanilla-like impressions.

Palate: Smooth and beautifully balanced, with ripe red berries, dried spices, soft caramel, sweet oak and delicate warming spice.

Texture: Rounded and approachable, with sufficient body to remain expressive in classic bourbon cocktails.

Finish: Soft, smooth and pleasantly long, with lingering fruit, gentle spice and oak.

The Heritage of Four Roses Bourbon

Four Roses is one of the most recognisable names in American bourbon, with a heritage dating back to 1888.

The brand's history is closely connected to Paul Jones Jr., a whiskey entrepreneur who established the Four Roses name during the late nineteenth century.

According to the brand's famous romantic legend, Jones proposed marriage to a woman who agreed to wear a corsage of roses if her answer was yes.

When she appeared wearing four roses, the gesture supposedly inspired the name of his bourbon.

Although elements of this story belong to the brand's folklore, Four Roses has maintained the romantic association as an important part of its identity.

The whiskey subsequently became an established name in Kentucky bourbon production.

During the twentieth century, Four Roses developed a particularly strong international presence in Europe and Japan.

In 2002, the brand and production facilities were acquired by Kirin, beginning a new chapter that included the return of Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon to the American market.

Today, Four Roses combines its historic reputation with a distinctive whiskey-making process based on different grain recipes, yeast strains and carefully selected barrels.

What Makes Four Roses Small Batch Different?

The defining feature of Four Roses Small Batch is its carefully controlled blend of four different bourbon recipes.

Unlike a bourbon based on one grain mixture and one yeast strain, Four Roses can develop different flavour profiles by combining two mash bills with five proprietary yeast strains.

This gives the distillery ten unique bourbon recipes.

Each recipe produces whiskey with slightly different aromatic and flavour characteristics.

Some emphasise gentle fruit, while others introduce richer fruit aromas, floral notes, spice or herbal complexity.

For Small Batch, the producer selects four of these recipes to create a particularly harmonious bourbon.

The combination is designed to balance the richer fruit character of certain recipes with the gentle baking spice of others.

After maturation, the selected barrels are evaluated and their contents carefully blended.

The result is a bourbon with a recognisable balance of ripe red berries, dried spice, caramel and sweet oak.

The Four Signature Recipes

Four Roses Small Batch is made by combining four specific bourbon recipes: OBSK, OBSO, OESK and OESO.

These codes identify the grain recipe and yeast strain used to produce each whiskey.

OBSK: Uses the higher-rye B mash bill with the K yeast strain, contributing rye spice and baking-spice character.

OBSO: Combines the B mash bill with the O yeast strain, creating a richer fruit character alongside the rye-driven foundation.

OESK: Uses the E mash bill with the K yeast strain, contributing balanced baking spice.

OESO: Combines the E mash bill with the O yeast strain, producing rich fruit and vanilla-like characteristics.

Each component contributes something different to the finished bourbon.

The K yeast recipes provide aromatic spice, while the O yeast recipes introduce richer fruit notes.

The two grain mixtures provide additional variation in the balance between corn sweetness and rye spice.

By combining the four recipes, the distillery creates a bourbon with more layered flavour than any one of the components would provide alone.

Two Mash Bills and Five Yeast Strains

Four Roses is particularly well known for using two different grain mixtures and five proprietary yeast strains in its whiskey production.

The combinations allow the producer to create ten distinct recipes, each with its own aromatic characteristics.

The B mash bill contains a higher proportion of rye, creating a more pronounced spicy foundation.

The E mash bill contains a greater proportion of corn, giving it a relatively softer grain character.

Both recipes contain corn, rye and malted barley and meet the production requirements for bourbon.

The different yeast strains influence the flavour compounds developed during fermentation.

Yeast contributes more than alcohol production: it can also influence fruit, floral, herbal and spicy aromas.

Four Roses uses these variations deliberately, creating whiskey components that can later be combined into a consistent flavour profile.

Small Batch uses two of the five yeast strains, selected specifically for their complementary fruit and spice characteristics.

The Importance of Fermentation

Fermentation is an essential stage in producing Four Roses Small Batch.

After the grains are prepared and their starches converted into sugars, yeast is introduced to begin fermentation.

The yeast converts those sugars into alcohol while producing additional aromatic compounds.

Four Roses maintains several proprietary yeast strains that influence the flavour of its different whiskey recipes.

For Small Batch, the K yeast strain provides characteristics associated with baking spice.

The O yeast strain is associated with richer fruit aromas.

These differences help explain why Four Roses can produce several distinct bourbons using the same distillery and a relatively focused selection of grains.

The individual fermented mixtures are distilled and matured separately, preserving their distinctive profiles until blending.

Traditional Kentucky Bourbon Distillation

Four Roses Small Batch is produced using established American bourbon-making techniques.

The grain mixtures are prepared, fermented and distilled at the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

The distillery uses column distillation followed by a second distillation stage to refine the spirit.

Its production approach is designed to preserve the intended flavours developed through the different grain mixtures and yeast strains.

The distilled whiskey is transported to the company's warehouse and bottling facilities in Cox's Creek, Kentucky.

Before barrel filling, the whiskey is brought to the producer's selected entry strength.

Four Roses uses a barrel-entry proof below the maximum permitted for bourbon, helping create its preferred balance of oak extraction and flavour development.

The spirit is then matured in new charred American oak barrels.

Each recipe is kept identifiable throughout the process, allowing the blending team to select mature barrels with the desired characteristics.

Six to Seven Years of Maturation

Four Roses Small Batch is produced from bourbon aged approximately six to seven years.

During this period, each whiskey develops additional colour, texture and aromatic complexity through interaction with new charred oak barrels.

The wood contributes characteristics commonly associated with vanilla, caramel, toasted oak and gentle spice.

Meanwhile, the grain and fermentation-derived fruit aromas become integrated with the barrel influence.

The producer evaluates the mature barrels before selecting them for blending.

Different barrels can develop slightly different flavours because of their individual characteristics and maturation conditions.

By selecting and combining several barrels, the distillery can achieve the intended Small Batch profile.

The regular Four Roses Small Batch bottle is marketed without a specific age statement, but the producer identifies an approximate six-to-seven-year maturation period.

It should therefore be described as a Kentucky Straight Bourbon made from six-to-seven-year-old whiskey, rather than as a guaranteed seven-year-old expression.

Single-Story Warehouses and Consistent Ageing

One distinctive feature of Four Roses is its use of single-story rack warehouses for maturation.

Traditional multi-level whiskey warehouses can experience substantial temperature differences between the upper and lower floors.

These variations can influence the speed and character of oak maturation.

Four Roses uses single-story warehouses to create a more consistent environment for its barrels.

The producer states that temperature differences between the upper and lower racks are significantly smaller than in many traditional multi-level warehouses.

This helps maintain a more even maturation profile across the barrels.

The approach is particularly important for Four Roses because the distillery relies on combining mature whiskey from different recipes.

Consistent maturation allows the blending team to evaluate the individual grain and yeast characteristics without excessive variation from warehouse position.

What Does Small Batch Mean?

The term Small Batch generally refers to whiskey produced by selecting and combining a limited number of barrels.

However, the term does not have one universal legal definition specifying a fixed number of barrels.

Different producers use different batch sizes depending on their production methods and the desired flavour.

Four Roses describes the typical size of its Small Batch bourbon as approximately 250 barrels.

The important distinction is the deliberate selection of four bourbon recipes and the careful evaluation of mature barrels.

The blending team samples the different components and develops test blends before selecting the final combination.

This process allows the distillery to maintain a consistent balance between fruit, spice, oak and sweetness.

For consumers, the Small Batch designation therefore reflects a specific blending approach rather than a guarantee of an exceptionally tiny production run.

Ripe Red Berries and Dried Spice

The official tasting profile of Four Roses Small Batch places particular emphasis on ripe red berries and dried spices.

These characteristics create a distinctive alternative to bourbons dominated primarily by vanilla, caramel and heavy oak.

The berry aromas originate from the interaction between the grain recipes, fermentation, distillation and maturation.

They do not mean that strawberries, cherries or other berries have been added to the whiskey.

Instead, fruit-like aromas are natural characteristics that can develop during whiskey production.

Dried spices provide a complementary warm character, while caramel and sweet oak create additional depth.

The combination makes Four Roses Small Batch especially suitable for cocktails featuring bitters, citrus, vermouth and other aromatic ingredients.

Its fruity profile can also be appreciated neat or with a small amount of water.

Four Roses Small Batch Compared with Four Roses Bourbon

Four Roses produces several different expressions, and understanding their distinctions helps when selecting whiskey for cocktails.

Four Roses Bourbon 40%: The standard expression, made by combining several of the distillery's signature recipes. It offers an approachable, balanced flavour suitable for everyday mixing.

Four Roses Small Batch 45%: Combines four selected recipes aged approximately six to seven years, creating a fuller profile with rich fruit, sweet oak and warming spice.

Small Batch offers additional structure and a higher alcohol strength than the standard expression.

Its flavour is particularly appealing in spirit-forward cocktails where aromatic complexity is desirable.

The standard Four Roses Bourbon remains a useful choice for lighter mixed drinks and customers seeking a more affordable everyday bourbon.

For Drinkero, Small Batch offers a premium step up without entering the price category of rare or limited-edition whiskey.

Four Roses Small Batch Compared with Single Barrel

Four Roses Single Barrel and Four Roses Small Batch use different approaches to whiskey selection.

Small Batch: Combines selected barrels from four different recipes to achieve a balanced and consistent flavour.

Single Barrel: Is bottled from an individual barrel, highlighting the characteristics of one particular whiskey recipe and maturation experience.

The standard Four Roses Single Barrel uses the OBSV recipe and is bottled at 50% alcohol by volume.

Small Batch is bottled at 45%, providing a slightly softer and more approachable drinking experience.

Its combination of four recipes allows the producer to balance fruit and spice characteristics in a deliberate way.

Single Barrel offers a more focused expression of the characteristics of a specific barrel.

Both products appeal to bourbon enthusiasts, but Small Batch is particularly versatile for cocktail preparation.

Four Roses Small Batch Compared with Other Bourbons

Four Roses Small Batch provides a distinctive flavour profile alongside the other American whiskies in Drinkero's collection.

Wild Turkey 101: Offers a bold, 50.5% bourbon with pronounced caramel, vanilla, toasted oak and warming spice.

Bulleit Bourbon: Emphasises a high-rye grain recipe, creating a relatively dry and spicy flavour.

Woodford Reserve: Combines dried fruit, orange, cocoa, caramel and oak in a rich, rounded bourbon.

Maker's Mark: Uses wheat instead of rye, creating a softer profile with vanilla, caramel and gentle spice.

Four Roses Small Batch: Offers an elegant combination of ripe red berries, dried spice, caramel and sweet oak through its four-recipe blending process.

These characteristics give Four Roses a clear place in the collection rather than making it another bourbon with a nearly identical flavour.

For cocktail enthusiasts, it is an especially attractive choice when a balanced combination of fruit and spice is desirable.

Why Four Roses Small Batch Is Excellent for an Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is one of the best cocktails for appreciating Four Roses Small Batch.

Its simple combination of bourbon, sugar, aromatic bitters and dilution allows the whiskey to remain the central ingredient.

Four Roses contributes ripe red berries, caramel, sweet oak and dried spice, creating a particularly aromatic result.

Angostura bitters reinforce the spice characteristics, while orange peel highlights the bourbon's fruit and citrus-like aromas.

For one serving, combine 60 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 5 ml sugar syrup and two dashes of aromatic bitters.

Stir thoroughly with ice until well chilled and appropriately diluted.

Strain into a rocks glass containing a large fresh ice cube.

Garnish with a fresh orange twist.

The resulting Old Fashioned is smooth, aromatic and bourbon-forward, with an elegant balance between fruit, spice and oak.

Four Roses Small Batch in a Whisky Sour

The Whisky Sour combines whiskey, fresh lemon juice and sugar to create a refreshing balance between spirit, acidity and sweetness.

Four Roses Small Batch is particularly suitable because its fruit and spice aromas complement fresh citrus.

The bourbon's ripe berry character creates additional complexity beneath the lemon.

Its caramel and sweet oak notes provide rounded depth, while the dried spices add an attractive finish.

For one serving, combine 60 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice and 22.5 ml sugar syrup.

Add optional cocktail foamer according to the manufacturer's instructions if a textured, foamy finish is desired.

Shake appropriately with ice and double-strain into a chilled coupe or over fresh ice.

Finish with a lemon twist.

The result is a balanced, refreshing Whisky Sour with a rich and aromatic bourbon foundation.

Why It Works in a Boulevardier

The Boulevardier is a classic bittersweet cocktail made with whiskey, Campari and sweet red vermouth.

Four Roses Small Batch provides an excellent foundation because its fruit and spice notes complement the other ingredients.

Campari adds bitter orange and herbal complexity, while vermouth contributes aromatic wine sweetness.

The bourbon's caramel and oak notes create depth beneath these flavours.

For one serving, combine 45 ml Four Roses Small Batch, 30 ml Campari and 30 ml sweet red vermouth.

Stir thoroughly with ice and strain into a rocks glass containing fresh ice.

Garnish with a fresh orange twist.

The resulting cocktail is rich, aromatic and bittersweet, with the bourbon's fruit character adding a particularly elegant dimension.

Four Roses Small Batch in a Bourbon Manhattan

The Manhattan is traditionally associated with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters.

However, a bourbon-based Manhattan offers a richer and often rounder interpretation.

Four Roses Small Batch creates an especially attractive version because its fruit character complements the wine-based aromas of sweet vermouth.

Its dried-spice notes provide structure, while caramel and oak contribute additional depth.

For one serving, combine 50 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 25 ml sweet red vermouth and two dashes of aromatic bitters.

Stir thoroughly with ice until well chilled.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry.

The finished drink is smooth, spirit-forward and aromatic, with a pleasing balance of berries, spice and vermouth.

Mint Julep and Whiskey Smash

Four Roses Small Batch also works exceptionally well in refreshing bourbon cocktails containing fresh herbs.

In a Mint Julep, mint and crushed ice provide a cooling contrast to the whiskey's caramel and baking-spice notes.

The bourbon's fruit character creates an additional layer of complexity as the ice gradually dilutes the drink.

For one serving, combine 60 ml bourbon with 10 ml sugar syrup and approximately eight fresh mint leaves.

Gently press the mint, fill a suitable glass with crushed ice and stir until chilled.

Top with additional crushed ice and garnish with fresh mint.

In a Whiskey Smash, fresh lemon introduces acidity and mint contributes herbal freshness.

The result is a bright and refreshing cocktail that highlights the bourbon's softer fruit and spice characteristics.

Other Cocktails with Four Roses Small Batch

Four Roses Small Batch is versatile enough for a wide range of classic and contemporary whiskey cocktails.

New York Sour: Combines bourbon, lemon and sugar with a carefully layered red wine float, creating a contrast between whiskey, citrus and wine aromas.

Paper Plane: Combines bourbon with Aperol, Amaro Nonino and fresh lemon juice for a balanced modern classic.

Presbyterian: Uses bourbon, ginger ale and soda water for a refreshing whiskey highball.

Hot Toddy: Combines bourbon with hot water, honey and lemon for a warming seasonal drink.

Whiskey Highball: Uses bourbon and chilled soda water to highlight the spirit's fruit, oak and gentle spice without substantial additional sweetness.

The combination of fruit and baking spice makes Four Roses Small Batch particularly useful for cocktails that balance refreshing ingredients with warm bourbon flavour.

How Four Roses Complements Cocktail Ingredients

Four Roses Small Batch works especially well with ingredients that highlight its fruit, caramel, sweet oak and gentle spice.

Angostura bitters: Add aromatic spice and herbal depth to Old Fashioned and Manhattan cocktails.

Fresh lemon: Provides refreshing acidity that balances the bourbon's caramel and ripe-berry character.

Orange peel: Reinforces fruit and citrus-like aromas while adding fragrance to spirit-forward drinks.

Sweet red vermouth: Introduces herbal wine complexity and sweetness that complement the whiskey's dried-spice notes.

Campari: Adds bitter orange and herbal character for a classic Boulevardier.

Fresh mint: Provides a cooling herbal contrast in Mint Julep and Whiskey Smash.

Aperol and amaro: Contribute citrus and bittersweet complexity in a Paper Plane.

Honey syrup: Adds gentle sweetness to seasonal whiskey drinks.

Ginger ale: Complements the whiskey's warming spice in refreshing highballs.

Because Four Roses Small Batch already has a complex fruit-and-spice profile, carefully measured recipes often produce the most balanced result.

What Makes Four Roses Small Batch Special?

Four Roses Small Batch stands out through its unusual approach to combining four distinct bourbon recipes.

The distillery uses two grain mixtures and proprietary yeast strains to develop different flavour characteristics.

For Small Batch, the OBSK, OBSO, OESK and OESO recipes are selected to create a balanced combination of fruit and spice.

The whiskeys are aged approximately six to seven years in new charred American oak barrels.

The producer's single-story warehouses help maintain a consistent maturation environment.

The finished bourbon delivers ripe red berries, caramel, sweet oak and dried spice, followed by a smooth and pleasantly long finish.

At 45% alcohol by volume, it provides a versatile strength for both sipping and cocktail preparation.

For Drinkero, Four Roses Small Batch adds a distinctively fruity and aromatic bourbon that complements the other American whiskies without duplicating their flavour profiles.

Perfect for Cocktails

Old Fashioned: Combines Four Roses Small Batch with sugar syrup and aromatic bitters, highlighting its caramel, fruit and warm spice.

Whisky Sour: Fresh lemon and sugar syrup complement the bourbon's ripe red berries and delicate spice. Optional cocktail foamer creates a smooth finish.

Boulevardier: Combines bourbon with Campari and sweet red vermouth for a rich, bittersweet drink.

Bourbon Manhattan: Uses Four Roses Small Batch, sweet vermouth and bitters to create an aromatic spirit-forward cocktail.

Mint Julep: Combines bourbon, fresh mint, sugar and crushed ice for a refreshing Kentucky classic.

Whiskey Smash: Uses fresh lemon and mint to complement the bourbon's fruity character.

Paper Plane: Combines bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino and lemon in equal proportions.

New York Sour: Combines a bourbon sour with a delicate red wine float for additional fruit complexity.

Presbyterian: Uses bourbon, ginger ale and soda water for a refreshing highball.

Serving Suggestions

For an Old Fashioned, combine 60 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 5 ml sugar syrup and two dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters. Stir with ice, strain over a large fresh ice cube and garnish with orange peel.

For a Whisky Sour, combine 60 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice and 22.5 ml sugar syrup. Add optional cocktail foamer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Shake appropriately with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

For a Boulevardier, combine 45 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 30 ml Campari and 30 ml sweet red vermouth. Stir with ice, strain over fresh ice and garnish with orange peel.

For a Bourbon Manhattan, combine 50 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 25 ml sweet vermouth and two dashes of aromatic bitters. Stir with ice, strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a cocktail cherry.

For a Mint Julep, combine 60 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 10 ml sugar syrup and eight fresh mint leaves. Gently press the mint, add crushed ice, stir until chilled and garnish with fresh mint.

For a Whiskey Smash, combine 50 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 25 ml fresh lemon juice, 15 ml sugar syrup and six fresh mint leaves. Shake with ice and strain over fresh ice.

For a Paper Plane, combine 22.5 ml Four Roses Small Batch, 22.5 ml Aperol, 22.5 ml Amaro Nonino and 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain into a chilled coupe.

For a New York Sour, combine 60 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice and 22.5 ml sugar syrup. Add optional cocktail foamer if desired. Shake appropriately with ice, strain over fresh ice and carefully float 15 ml red wine over the cocktail.

For a Presbyterian, combine 45 ml Four Roses Small Batch with 60 ml ginger ale and 60 ml soda water. Serve over ice in a highball glass and garnish with lemon.

For a Whiskey Highball, combine 45 ml Four Roses Small Batch with approximately 120 ml chilled soda water. Serve over fresh ice and garnish with lemon peel.

Use accurate measurements, fresh ingredients and appropriate dilution to preserve the bourbon's balance between ripe fruit, gentle spice, caramel and sweet oak.

Product Details

• Brand: Four Roses
• Product: Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey
• Country of origin: United States of America
• Region: Kentucky
• Distillery: Four Roses Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
• Warehouse and bottling facility: Cox's Creek, Kentucky
• Brand heritage: Since 1888
• Small Batch expression introduced: 2006
• Brand owner: Kirin Holdings
• Spirit type: Whiskey
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Expression: Small Batch
• Grain composition: Two mash bills containing corn, rye and malted barley
• Blending: Four signature recipes — OBSK, OBSO, OESK and OESO
• Yeast strains: K and O
• Distillation: Traditional Kentucky bourbon distillation
• Maturation: Approximately six to seven years
• Barrel type: New charred American oak
• Warehousing: Single-story rack warehouses
• Age statement: No age statement on the standard bottle
• Colour: Warm amber
• Aroma: Rich fruits, sweet oak and caramel
• Flavour profile: Ripened red berries, dried spices, caramel and sweet oak
• Finish: Smooth, soft and pleasantly long
• Alcohol content: 45% Vol.
• American proof: 90
• Bottle size: 0.7L (700 ml)
• EAN: 5000299284865
• Recommended use: Old Fashioned, Whisky Sour, Boulevardier, Bourbon Manhattan, Mint Julep, Whiskey Smash and Paper Plane
• Recommended garnish: Orange peel, lemon peel, fresh mint or cocktail cherry, depending on the recipe

Storage: Store upright with the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and excessive heat. Enjoy neat, over ice or in accurately measured cocktails.

Discover more with Drinkero: Explore Old Fashioned, Whisky Sour, Boulevardier, Manhattan, Mint Julep and Paper Plane recipes, compare Small Batch bourbon with Single Barrel and rye whiskey, and use the Drinkero cocktail calculator to prepare accurately measured ingredients for your favourite cocktails at home.