Four Roses Flashcards
What was the original name of Four Roses?
Old Prentice Distillery
This is the 1st letter of each recipe code - O for Old Prentice
What are the five yeast strains used at Four Roses?
F = herbal
K = mild spice
O = Rich fruitiness
Q = floral
V = soft fruitiness
What is the origin of the five yeast strains at Four Roses?
Each yeast strain came from one of the five Seagram’s distilleries that went into Seagram’s blends.
Who is the most iconic figure in the history of Four Roses?
Jimmy Rutledge, who became master distiller in 1994 and convinced Seagram’s to relaunch Four Roses straight Bourbon in IS market
What is unique about Four Roses Barrell Warehouses?
Four Roses warehouses are single story to reduce temperature swings vs tall 7 story Rick houses used by other US distilleries.
Who ownes Four Roses? When did they purchase it?
Japanese brewer Kirin purchased Four Roses in 2002
What are the 2 Mash Bills used at Four Roses?
High Rye = 60% Corn/ 35% Rye / 5% Malted Barley = B
Low Rye = 75% Corn / 20% Rye / 5% Malted Barley = E
What is the four Letter coding system at Four Roses?
1st letter is always O for
“Old Prentice” (Seagram’s original distillery code)
2nd letter is for mash bill, either “E” for High Rye or
“B” for Low Rye
3rd letter is always “S” for Straight Bourbon Whiskey
4th letter is yeast strain:
“F” = herbal
“K” = mild spice
“O” = rich fruitiness
“V” = soft fruitiness
“Q” = floral
10 possible codes for 10 recipes.
What are the 4 core expressions at Four Roses?
Yellow Label is blend of all 10 recipes.
Small Batch is blend of 4 recipes (K & O yeast strains)
Small Batch Select is blend of 6 receipes (K,V,F yeast strains):
OBSV/OBSK/OBSF/OESV/OESK/OESF
*only the floral and rich fruitiness yeast strains are missing
Single Barrell is single Barrell, usually just OBSV
(Low rye mash bill, soft fruity yeast strain)
How much backset is used at Four Roses?
25-30%
Where is Four Rose Distillery located?
Lawrenceberg, KY
When was Four Roses originally trademarked? When was it reintroduced into US Market by Kirin?
1888 - Original Trademark
2002 - Reintroduced into US by Kirin
Release dates of key Four Roses items?
Single Barrel = 2004
Small Batch = 2006
Small Batch Select = 2019
Fermentation at Four Roses?
About 3 days
23 fermenters (Old = Cypress, New + Douglas Fir or Stainless)
Kept below 90 degrees F (32.2 degrees C)
beer is about 8% ABV
Distillation at Four Roses?
Beer column and doubler (with special shape that looks like a Scottish still). Wide base, clinched lamp glass, slight boil ball, extreme neck taper and L-angled lyne arm (horizontal)
Collection Proof and Entry Proof at Four Roses?
132-140 Collection Proof (66-70% ABV)
120 Entry Proof (60% ABV)
Four Roses Barrel Specs?
45-second char, resulting in something between #3 and #4
Warehousing at Four Roses?
Single Story warehouses at Cox Creek (one hour from Four Roses). Wild Turkey has warehouse there as well.
Barrel Age at Four Roses?
min. 5 years for Yellow Label
min. 6 years for Small Batch
min. 6 years for Small Batch Select
min. 7-9 years for Single Barrel
Bottle Proof for Four Roses releases?
Yellow Label = 80 Proof (40% ABV)
Small Batch = 104 Proof (52% ABV)
Single Barrel = 100 Proof (50% ABV)
Four Roses Yellow Label key stats?
Reintroduced into US market by Kirin in 2002
Mix of all 10 recipes
Large Batch barreling
80 Proof (40% ABV)
Chill Filtered
Four Roses Small Batch key stats?
Introduced in 2006
Blend of four recipies (K&O yeast strains with both mash bills)
Small Batch barreling
104 Proof (52% ABV)
Chill Filtered
Four Roses Small Batch Select key stats?
Introduced in 2019
Blend of 6 recipies (K,V & F yeast strains with both mash bills)
Small Batch barreling
104 Proof (52% ABV)
Non chill filtered
Four “Roses Single Barrel key stats?
Introduced in 2004
Single Barrel / Single Recipe usually “OBSV”
Single Barrel
100 Proof (50% ABV)
unknown whether chill filtered or not
