Four Roses has long been near to my heart. More specifically, Four Roses Small Batch was what I considered my first “splurge” bottle when first sipping whiskey neat. What specifically drew me to it? The bottle design, for starters. I loved the logo embossed onto the glass and thought the overall look trumped that of the Single Barrel. The effective nothingburger term that is “small batch” combined with a not-daunting price tag of $30 helped me along, too.

Despite some small growing pains over the years, namely with regards to the Single Barrel, I’ve long since come back around to Four Roses. So much so that I consider it my favorite American distillery. There are a few key reasons for that, but I think they’re best saved for at least one future review. Instead, I’m going to revisit the bottle that introduced me to Four Roses in the first place.

Four Roses Small Batch was initially launched in 2006 and is composed of approximately 250-barrel batches. Of the 10 total Four Roses recipes, Small Batch uses four: both K and O strains. The whiskey is aged for 6-7 years, bottled at 45% ABV, and retails around $30-$35.

Nose: Light Brown Sugar, Cilantro, Raspberry, Cheesecake

Subtle, Layered, Floral

Palate: Mint, Caramel, Licorice, Clove

Light, Bright, Prickly

Finish: Wintergreen, Lemon Zest, Pepper, Vanilla

Mild, Warming, Spicy

Returning to this bourbon kept things in perspective, both good and bad. Despite the low proof and budget-friendly shelf space Four Roses Small Batch occupies, it still provides much of the distillery’s core profile. This is to say you can expect a more herbal and subtle take on bourbon while sipping. It’s neither as rich nor flavorful as many other traditional bourbons that can feel heavy-handed, by comparison. Much of this likely comes from the considerable rye component, which falls between 20-35% here. The overall experience is light and layered, showcasing a decent amount of complexity without fully realizing the present notes. If a more delicate and slightly spice-driven personality is what you’re looking for in an everyday bourbon, Four Roses Small Batch should do the trick.