Four Roses Bourbon Whiskey (1000ml)

This is Four Roses' 'Table Bourbon', an entry level bottling aimed at everyday drinking. Sometimes referred to as "Yellow Label”, it's been on the market since the 1930s or 1940s, and that's partly attested to by its old-school presentation. Located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky on the banks of the Salt River in Anderson County, Four Roses distillery has a unique Spanish Mission-style architecture rarely seen in Kentucky and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The company attributes their products quality to several factors: A unique Limestone water source, the spring-fed Salt River; a high quality grain source (Four Roses are the only distillery using the same grain source for 45 years, paying a premium for quality); Two Mash Bills in daily production - one mash bill contains significantly more rye than any other Bourbon employing five proprietary yeast strains, each producing uniquely different flavours.

Other reviews... One of the most fragile Kentucky Bourbons in the market place, but profiting from a sublime nose. 88 points - Jim Murray's Whisky Bible 2021

...Lovely cinnamon candies offer an entrancing first taste, with lemon drop and orange sherbet close behind. Baking spices come on strong mid-palate, with undertones of caramel and vanilla. But what makes this special is its mouthfeel: tingly and warming the palate throughout. Cinnamon is ever-present. 87 points - whiskyadvocate.com

...We’ve reviewed I-don’t-know-how-many single barrel and small batch expressions of Four Roses, but never the stalwart (and super-cheap) Yellow, bottled with no age statement and blended from up to all 10 of the company’s mashbill combinations (depending on supply and the season). Finally we’re getting around to it. Without further ado… It’s initially a bit brash on the nose, with plenty of youthful exuberance. Strong vanilla (think extract, not wafers), knotty lumberyard, and hints of dark chocolate emerge, once the booziness blows off. On the palate, it’s quite sweet, which works hard to counterbalance the woodier notes that emerge. Think cinnamon sugar, chocolate-covered caramels, and just the lightest touch of honey-doused cornbread. As big blends go, it’s hard to find a lot of fault here aside from a bit of roughness up front. Overall, it’s nowhere near as nuanced as many single barrel offerings, but for the price it’ll do the trick. Also makes a supreme base for cocktails. - drinkhacker.com

Nose: High-toned, crisp and citric: lemon, lime and tangerine peel with a hint of mintiness. Palate: Zesty. Lemon, honey and spice. Nice rye balance towards the finish. Finish: Touch of light woodiness getting oily as rye shows its hand. Comment: Very well-balanced. The uptown sophisticate, a discreetly charming member of the bourgeoisie. 40% Alc./Vol. Rating: 8/10  - David Broom, whiskymag.com