Why Four Roses Bourbon Is the Best Cheap Bottle I Always Return To

In my decades of writing about alcohol, I’ve spent a lot of time drinking bourbon. I’ve visited iconic distilleries, enjoyed tastings with renowned distillers, and spent many evenings enjoying sporting events with a glass of bourbon in hand. In that time, I’ve been lucky enough to sample some of the rarest, oldest, and most flavorful whiskeys available. And while I’ve grown to appreciate the delicate, layered flavors and aromas that make them worth their high price tags, I'veI’ve never swayed in my love for bargain bourbon.

There’s a time and place for expensive whiskey. There’s also an equal time and place for low-priced, versatile, everyday bourbons. These are the types of whiskeys you pick up on the way home from work for mixing into cocktails like old fashioneds or whiskey sours—or for sipping neat in a pinch.

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If you’re anything like me and you’re in search of a bargain bourbon, you walk through the aisles of your local whiskey retailer and look for names like Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, and even Elijah Craig. But today, I’m going to turn my attention to a distillery known just as much for its award-winning expression as its bargain-priced staples.

Of course, I’m talking about Four Roses.

Four Roses, based in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, is known for its interesting, creative take on the artform. Instead of simply crafting bourbon, this beloved brand takes it to new heights by utilizing two different mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains interchangeable to create its different bourbons. And while you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch, Four Roses Single Barrel, or Four Roses Small Batch Select, if you really want to get your money’s worth, you’ll grab a bottle of Four Roses Bourbon (also lovingly referred to as Four Roses Yellow Label).

This award-winning whiskey begins with a blend featuring two mash bills. The first is 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% malted barley. The second is 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley. It carries no age statement, but the folks at Fours Roses says that it’s matured for a minimum of five years in new, charred American oak barrels. 

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Four Roses Bourbon Tasting Notes

This results in an 80-proof, surprisingly complex whiskey that begins with a nose of orchard fruits, sweet honey, caramel, floral notes, and gentle oak. Sipping it reveals myriad flavors including notes of caramel apples, floral essence, sweet corn, dried fruit, and charred oak. The finish is warm and lingering, and it finishes with a mix of toffee candy and oak. For a bargain bourbon, it’s surprisingly balanced and noteworthy.

Now that I’ve sung the praises of this popular Kentucky straight bourbon, it’s time to talk about the price. This whiskey ticks all of my bourbon boxes. It was matured for at least a half decade, it’s meticulously crafted with multiple mash bills, and it’s available almost everywhere whiskey is sold. You might assume a whiskey like the one listed above would set you back around $40 or $50, right?

Well, I’m here to tell you that the lowest level of the Four Roses Bourbon pyramid will only cost you around $20 (depending on where you live). If that’s not a deal, I don’t know what is. 

So, next time you find yourself strolling around the aisles of your local liquor retailer, instead of opting for some random, generic-named bottom-shelf, plastic-handled swill, purchase a bottle of Four Roses Bourbon instead. You (and anyone else you’re sharing it with) will be very happy with your decision. It’s a perfect, inexpensive whiskey for mixing and rainy day sipping.

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