Four Roses Small Batch

Smooth, Balanced, Crowd-Pleasing Kentucky Bourbon

Meet Four Roses Small Batch, a classic Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that’s built for versatility equally at home in a rocks glass, a proper cocktail, or as your dependable “always on the bar” bottle. Bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV), it hits a sweet spot: flavorful and structured, but still easygoing enough for everyday sipping.

What makes it “Small Batch” (and why it tastes so balanced)

Four Roses is famous for doing bourbon a little differently. Instead of relying on a single recipe, the distillery is known for building flavor using multiple bourbon recipes created from different mash bills and yeast strains an approach that gives them a broader palette to blend from. 

For Small Batch, Four Roses blends four of its distinct bourbon recipes to create a profile that’s consistently smooth, layered, and approachable. The result is a bourbon that delivers sweetness up front, spice through the mid-palate, and a clean, satisfying finish—without veering too hot or too oaky.

Tasting notes

Expect a welcoming nose and a flavor arc that keeps you coming back for another sip:

• Aroma: soft oak, caramel, vanilla, and bright fruit notes (often described as berries), with gentle spice in the background

• Palate: mellow caramel and vanilla, hints of ripe fruit, baking spice/rye spice, and a rounded oak backbone

• Finish: medium and smooth, lingering with light peppery spice and sweet oak

If you like bourbons that feel “complete” (sweet, spicy, and gently fruity), Small Batch is a reliable pick.

Proof, age, and style

Four Roses Small Batch is commonly listed at 90 proof / 45% ABV across retail and tasting references. Some retailers and reviewers also note it’s typically aged around 6–7 years, contributing to its slightly richer character versus lighter entry-level pours. (Four Roses doesn’t always present this as a front-label age statement, so “typical” is the safest way to frame it.)

How to enjoy it

• Neat: great for picking up the bourbon’s fruit-and-spice complexity

• On the rocks: opens the vanilla/caramel and softens spice edges (ideal for casual sipping)

• In cocktails: a standout base for an Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, or a refreshing Kentucky Mule

Food pairings

Four Roses Small Batch pairs beautifully with:

• smoked meats and barbecue (the caramel + spice combo loves char)

• dark chocolate and pecan desserts

• sharp cheeses (aged cheddar, gouda)

Why buy Four Roses Small Batch

If you want a bourbon that’s smooth enough for newcomers but still interesting for seasoned drinkers, this bottle earns its spot. The four-recipe blend delivers a signature Four Roses balance—sweetness, fruit, gentle oak, and just enough spice to keep things lively.