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Bourbon Review: Four Roses Bourbon

We review the iconic and back bar friendly Four Roses yellow label bourbon, because every now and again it is good to return to the basics of whiskey.

OVERALL RATING

8
$16.00
  • Carin Moonin is a Portland-based whiskey enthusiast and writer.
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Tasting Notes

About:

80 proof; about $20; uses all 10 bourbon recipes.
Appearance:
It’s yellow label, and the bourbon itself has a yellow quality to it. Like finding old newspaper clippings in an attic, especially the extra-yellowed outer corners (why does that happen?). Also: weak ginger or lemon teas.
Nose:
It smells like bourbon. I know, this is not saying a lot but I get to taste a lot of bourbon. Some smell more like bourbon than others. That doesn’t mean it’s alcohol-ey, it means it smells like good bourbon. Rich, a browned butter, and the warm pleasantness that surrounds you when you’re well into a glass sitting with someone you like while sitting by a fire. It smells, quite frankly, like comfort. (Also, apples.)
Palate:
I’ve tried a bunch of Four Roses concoctions, and they never disappoint. This one is easy-drinking and light, and yet with enough substance to do well on its own, neat, or on the rocks. It has a light syrup mouthfeel but not syrupy sweetness. It’s a little chewy. Also, apples. Again. It tastes like its smells, which is to say good bourbon, not surprising or amazing, but a solid, easy-drinking beverage. It tastes like a more expensive bottle.
Finish:
A long, syrupy finish with brown sugar, caramel, and vanilla. Classic.
Comments:
This batch of Four Roses is like the little black dress of bourbon. You can dress it up or you can just throw it on after oversleeping and still make it not only work, but also look good. This is appropriate for everything. And reasonable! Sometimes, you don’t want something overly smoky or weird or redolent with alcohol or a bottle you won’t open except for your best guests. It’s like Four Roses took everything I don’t like about whiskey and excised it from this batch. That’s kind of a double-negative but in this case it’s very much a positive. Well-done, Four Roses.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Carin Moonin

Carin Moonin swapped a 5th-floor walkup in Hoboken, NJ, for a house in SE Portland a decade ago and hasn't looked back. She appreciates Portland's vibrant whiskey scene, finding it complements both the weather and her mood. Carin enjoys exploring the diverse world of brown liquor and its many facets. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Salon.com, DailyDot.com, Willamette Week, Portland Monthly, and others. When she's not indulging in whiskey or writing about it, you can find Carin running, reading, or on the hunt for free samples in grocery stores.

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