Hello, Good News! If you are a bourbon lover, you probably have heard of Four Roses, one of the most popular and award-winning brands in the market. But did you know that Four Roses is not just one bourbon, but ten? That’s right, Four Roses uses two different mash bills and five different yeast strains to create ten distinct bourbon recipes, each with its own flavor profile and character. In this article, we will explore the best Four Roses recipe for different occasions, preferences, and cocktails. Whether you are looking for a smooth sipper, a spicy mixer, or a complex connoisseur’s choice, we have the best Four Roses recipe for you.
But first, let’s take a quick look at what makes Four Roses unique and how they craft their bourbons. Four Roses has been making bourbon since 1888, and they have a rich history of innovation and quality. They are the only distillery that uses single-story warehouses to age their barrels, which ensures a more consistent temperature and humidity throughout the year. They also use cypress fermenters, which are more resistant to bacteria and impart a cleaner flavor to the whiskey. And most importantly, they use ten different recipes to create their bourbons, which gives them a lot of flexibility and variety.
How to Decode the Four Roses Recipes
Each of the ten Four Roses recipes has a four-letter code that tells you what mash bill and yeast strain it uses. The first letter is always O, which stands for the original Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The second letter is either B or E, which indicates the mash bill. Mash bill B has 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley, while mash bill E has 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% malted barley. The higher rye content in mash bill B gives it a spicier and more robust flavor, while mash bill E is sweeter and smoother.
The third letter is always S, which means straight whiskey. This means that the bourbon has been aged for at least two years in new charred oak barrels and has no added flavors or colors. The fourth letter is one of V, K, O, Q, or F, which represents the yeast strain. Each yeast strain has its own flavor characteristics, as described by Four Roses:[^1^]
- V: Delicate fruit
- K: Slight spice
- O: Rich fruit
- Q: Floral essence
- F: Herbal notes
By combining the two mash bills and five yeast strains, Four Roses can create ten different recipes with different flavors and aromas. Here are the ten recipes and their codes:
- OBSV: Mash bill B with yeast strain V
- OBSK: Mash bill B with yeast strain K
- OBSO: Mash bill B with yeast strain O
- OBSQ: Mash bill B with yeast strain Q
- OBSF: Mash bill B with yeast strain F
- OESV: Mash bill E with yeast strain V
- OESK: Mash bill E with yeast strain K
- OESO: Mash bill E with yeast strain O
- OESQ: Mash bill E with yeast strain Q
- OESF: Mash bill E with yeast strain F
How to Choose the Best Four Roses Recipe for You
Now that you know how to decode the Four Roses recipes, you might be wondering how to choose the best one for you. Of course, the best way to find out is to taste them yourself and see which one suits your palate and mood. However, if you need some guidance or suggestions, here are some factors to consider:
Your Preference for Sweetness or Spice
If you prefer a sweeter and smoother bourbon, you might want to go for mash bill E recipes, which have a higher corn content and a lower rye content. These recipes tend to have more caramel, vanilla, honey, and fruit flavors. Some examples are OESV, OESK, OESO, and OESQ.
If you like a spicier and bolder bourbon, you might want to try mash bill B recipes, which have a higher rye content and a lower corn content. These recipes tend to have more pepper, cinnamon, clove, and oak flavors. Some examples are OBSV, OBSK, OBSO, and OBSQ.
Your Mood or Occasion
Depending on your mood or the occasion, you might want to choose a different Four Roses recipe to match the vibe. For example, if you are feeling relaxed and cozy, you might want to sip on a rich and fruity recipe, such as OBSO or OESO, which have notes of plum, cherry, orange, and chocolate. These recipes are also great for after-dinner drinks or desserts.
If you are feeling adventurous and energetic, you might want to try a floral and herbal recipe, such as OBSQ or OESF, which have notes of rose, lavender, mint, and thyme. These recipes are also good for spring and summer cocktails or refreshing drinks.
Your Choice of Cocktail
If you are making a cocktail with Four Roses, you might want to choose a recipe that complements the other ingredients and enhances the flavor of the drink. For example, if you are making a classic Old Fashioned, you might want to use OBSK or OESK, which have a slight spice and a balanced flavor that works well with the sugar, bitters, and orange peel. These recipes are also good for other whiskey-based cocktails, such as Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, or Mint Julep.
If you are making a more fruity or citrusy cocktail, you might want to use OBSV or OESV, which have a delicate fruit flavor and a smooth finish that blends well with the juice, soda, or syrup. These recipes are also good for other bourbon-based cocktails, such as Bourbon Smash, Kentucky Mule, or Bourbon Lemonade.
A Detailed Table of the Four Roses Recipes
To help you compare and contrast the different Four Roses recipes, here is a detailed table that shows the mash bill, yeast strain, flavor profile, and suggested use for each recipe. You can use this table as a reference when choosing the best Four Roses recipe for you.
| Recipe | Mash Bill | Yeast Strain | Flavor Profile | Suggested Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBSV | B (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% barley) | V (delicate fruit) | Spicy, fruity, smooth | Sipping neat or on the rocks; fruity or citrusy cocktails |
| OBSK | B (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% barley) | K (slight spice) | Spicy, balanced, complex | Sipping neat or on the rocks; classic whiskey cocktails |
| OBSO | B (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% barley) | O (rich fruit) | Spicy, rich, fruity | Sipping neat or on the rocks; after-dinner drinks or desserts |
| OBSQ | B (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% barley) | Q (floral essence) | Spicy, floral, herbal | Sipping neat or on the rocks; spring and summer cocktails or refreshing drinks |
| OBSF | B (60% corn, 35% rye, 5% barley) | F (herbal notes) | Spicy, herbal, earthy | Sipping neat or on the rocks; experimental cocktails or adventurous drinks |
| OESV | E (75% corn, 20% rye,
5% barley) |
V (delicate fruit) | Sweet,
fruity, smooth |
Sipping
neat or on the rocks; fruity or citrusy cocktails |
| OESK | E (75%
corn, 20% rye, 5% barley) |
K (slight spice) | Sweet,
balanced, complex |
Sipping
neat or on the rocks; classic whiskey cocktails |
| OESO | E (75%
corn, 20% rye, 5% barley) |
O (rich fruit) | Sweet,
rich, fruity |
Sipping
neat or on the rocks; afterdinner drinks or desserts |
| OESQ | E (75%
corn, 20% rye, 5% barley) |
Q (floral essence) | Sweet,
floral, herbal |
Sipping
neat or on the rocks; spring and summer cocktails or refreshing drinks |
| OESF | E (75%
corn, 20% rye, 5% barley) |
F (herbal notes) | Sweet,
herbal, earthy |
Sipping
neat or on the rocks; experimental cocktails or adventurous drinks |
FAQs About the Best Four Roses Recipe
In this section, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the best Four Roses recipe. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us directly.
What is the difference between Four Roses Single Barrel and Four Roses Small Batch?
Four Roses Single Barrel and Four Roses Small Batch are two of the most popular products from Four Roses. They are both made from a blend of different recipes, but they have different characteristics and flavors.
Four Roses Single Barrel is made from one barrel of one recipe, which is always OBSV. This means that each bottle has the same mash bill and yeast strain, but it may vary slightly depending on the barrel and the aging process. Four Roses Single Barrel is bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV) and has a spicy, fruity, and smooth flavor.
Four Roses Small Batch is made from a blend of four barrels of four recipes, which are OBSK, OESK, OBSO, and OESO. This means that each bottle has a mix of mash bills and yeast strains, which creates a more balanced and complex flavor. Four Roses Small Batch is bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) and has a sweet, rich, and fruity flavor.
What is the best Four Roses recipe for beginners?
If you are new to bourbon or Four Roses, you might want to start with a recipe that is easy to drink and has a mild flavor. Some of the best Four Roses recipes for beginners are OESV, OESK, and OBSV. These recipes have a higher corn content and a lower rye content, which makes them sweeter and smoother. They also have delicate fruit or slight spice flavors, which are not too overwhelming or harsh. You can sip these recipes neat or on the rocks, or mix them with your favorite cocktail.
What is the best Four Roses recipe for experts?
If you are an experienced bourbon or Four Roses fan, you might want to try a recipe that is more challenging and has a strong flavor. Some of the best Four Roses recipes for experts are OBSF, OBSQ, and OESF. These recipes have a higher rye content and a lower corn content, which makes them spicier and bolder. They also have herbal or floral flavors, which are more unique and nuanced. You can sip these recipes neat or on the rocks, or experiment with different cocktails.
What is the rarest Four Roses recipe?
The rarest Four Roses recipe is OBSF, which is only available in limited quantities and select markets. This recipe has mash bill B with yeast strain F, which gives it a spicy, herbal, and earthy flavor. This recipe is also used in some of the special releases from Four Roses, such as the Limited Edition Small Batch or the Single Barrel Private Selection. If you can find a bottle of OBSF, you are in for a treat.
What is the most popular Four Roses recipe?
The most popular Four Roses recipe is OBSV, which is used in the Four Roses Single Barrel product. This recipe has mash bill B with yeast strain V, which gives it a spicy, fruity, and smooth flavor. This recipe is also widely available and affordable, which makes it a great choice for any occasion.
How can I tell which Four Roses recipe I have?
If you have a bottle of Four Roses bourbon, you can tell which recipe it uses by looking at the label or the barcode. On the label, you will see a four-letter code that indicates the mash bill and yeast strain of the recipe. On the barcode, you will see a two-digit number that corresponds to the recipe code. Here is a table that shows the recipe codes and the barcode numbers:
| Recipe | Code | Barcode Number |
|---|---|---|
| OBSV | SV | 01 |
| OBSK | SK | 02 |
| OBSO | SO | 03 |
| OBSQ | SQ | 04 |
| OBSF | SF | 05 |
| OESV | EV | 06 |
| OESK | EK | 07 |
| OESO | EO | 08 |
| OESQ | EQ | 09 |
| OESF | EF | 10 |
How can I buy Four Roses bourbon online?
If you want to buy Four Roses bourbon online, you can visit their official website and use their product locator tool to find the nearest retailer or online store that carries their products. You can also check out some of the online platforms that sell Four Roses bourbon, such as Drizly, ReserveBar, or Caskers. However, please note that the availability and price of Four Roses bourbon may vary depending on your location and the seller.
How can I learn more about Four Roses bourbon?
If you want to learn more about Four Roses bourbon, you can visit their official website and explore their history, products, recipes, events, and more. You can also follow them on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube, to get the latest news and updates. You can also join their mailing list or their loyalty program, the Mellow Moments Club, to get exclusive offers and invitations. And if you ever have the chance, you can visit their distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and take a tour or a tasting session.
Conclusion: The Best Four Roses Recipe for You is…
The best Four Roses recipe for you is the one that matches your taste, mood, occasion, and cocktail. With ten different recipes to choose from, you can always find a Four Roses bourbon that suits your preference and style. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, a sipper or a mixer, a sweet tooth or a spice lover, there is a Four Roses recipe for you.
We hope this article has helped you learn more about the best Four Roses recipe and how to choose the best one for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And if you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends and family who might also love Four Roses bourbon. Cheers!