Four Roses
Four Roses is a bourbon from Lawrenceburg, in the US state of Kentucky. What makes it special: the distillery makes ten different bourbons and combines them for each bottle. Here you can read how this works, which Four Roses to choose and how to drink it.
Ten bourbons from one distillery
Bourbon is American whiskey made with at least 51% corn and aged in new oak barrels that have been charred on the inside. Four Roses is distilled in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The brand name has existed since the late nineteenth century. Various stories surround the origin of the name; the best-known involves a corsage of four roses. Four Roses has been owned by Japan's Kirin since 2002.
Four Roses works with two grain mixes (mash bills). Both contain corn, rye and malted barley, but with a different proportion of rye. The distillery also uses five types of yeast, each imparting its own flavor, from fruity to spicy. Two mash bills times five yeasts: this creates ten different bourbons. They are combined differently for each bottle.
In brief
Which Four Roses do you choose?
Gall & Gall sells three bottles. They differ in how many of the ten recipes they contain and in alcohol percentage.
Four Roses Bourbon
The bottle formerly known as Yellow Label. A blend of all ten recipes, aged for at least three years. Light, fruity and slightly spicy.
Four Roses Small Batch
Four of the ten recipes, selected when they are at their best. Rounder and fuller, with ripe fruit and spices.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Each bottle comes from a single barrel and is filled and numbered by hand. Aged for at least eight years. Powerful and spicy, with ripe fruit.
What makes bourbon different from Scotch or Irish whisky? You can read about that on our bourbon page.
Fruity and smooth, with a spicy edge
Fruit & vanilla
Ripe fruit, vanilla, and caramel, with some floral notes. The Single Barrel smells more intense and spicier.
Smooth and spicy
Smooth and slightly sweet, with caramel and a peppery edge from the rye. The Small Batch is rounder, while the Single Barrel is fuller.
Warm
Warm, with oak and spices. It lingers longer in the Small Batch and Single Barrel.
Flavor profile of Four Roses Small Batch. The regular Four Roses is lighter, while the Single Barrel is more powerful.
Three ways to drink Four Roses
Bourbon is versatile: neat, on the rocks, as a highball, or in a cocktail.
Neat or with one ice cube
Pour 4 cl into a tumbler. With the Single Barrel at 50% ABV, a splash of water or one large ice cube opens up the flavor.
Glass: tumbler →With ginger ale
A highball glass filled with ice, 4 cl Four Roses, and topped up with ginger ale. Add a lime wedge. The regular Four Roses is ideal here.
Kentucky Mule recipe →In a Whiskey Sour
Bourbon, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and optionally egg white, vigorously shaken with ice. The Small Batch gives the sour more depth.
Whiskey Sour recipe →Cocktails with Four Roses
Bourbon is the base of many classic cocktails. These work well with Four Roses.
Old Fashioned
Bourbon, sugar, bitters, and orange peel, stirred over ice.
Kentucky Mule
Bourbon, lime, and ginger beer. The bourbon version of the Moscow Mule.
Hot Toddy
Hot water, honey, lemon, and bourbon. Warm and smooth.
Whiskey cocktails
All whiskey cocktails in one place, from Manhattan to Mint Julep.The right glass for Four Roses
A sturdy tumbler for drinking neat, on the rocks, and for an Old Fashioned, a tasting glass for sipping slowly, and a highball glass for bourbon with ginger ale. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Four Roses
Is your question not listed? Read more about bourbon or check out our cocktail recipes.
To bourbon →What is Four Roses bourbon?
How much alcohol is in Four Roses?
What is the difference between Four Roses, Small Batch and Single Barrel?
Where does the name Four Roses come from?
How do you drink Four Roses?
Which glass do you use for bourbon?
Buy Four Roses
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Four Roses online from Gall & Gall.
Prices from October 9, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.