Four Roses Small Batch Limited Edition, 2020, 55.7%

This is the sort of bourbon where the spice has something sweet to work against. Cinnamon sits with caramel and floral vanilla on the nose, while the palate puts peppery spices next to sweet molasses and brown sugar. That contrast suits my taste more than sweetness on its own. Tart citrus and fruit add another side to it, giving the richer notes some company rather than leaving them to carry the whole whisky. The finish follows a similar path, with peppercorn spiciness and creamy vanilla, as well as dry spice and oak. I like that the sweetness and spice each have a clear part to play here; the combination sounds lively without leaning on just one note.

tiny.fox18 Jul

A moderately long finish with rye spice, light oak, and refreshing fruit.

teacup kettle31 May

Four Roses has a pleasing sweet-and-spicy contrast: caramel, vanilla and brown sugar meet peppery spices, cinnamon and oak. Apple, citrus and berry notes add a fruity counterpoint, so the sweetness isn’t the only thing going on. I’m drawn to that balance more than any single dominant note, and the recurring spice and oak in the finish make the flavour progression feel coherent. It sounds like a characterful Bourbon without leaning on sweetness alone.

fern.fox17 Apr

The oak seems to sit in the background, alongside fruit, caramel and cinnamon. That fits the notes calling it light or mild, though toasted and dry oak suggest a firmer edge too. It sounds balanced, with the oak supporting rather than leading the sweeter and spicier flavours.

CinnamonRover15 Feb

Fruit meets lively baking spice