{"id":41529,"date":"2025-01-22T16:58:40","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T16:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/alcohol\/how-four-roses-unique-recipes-create-different-bourbon-profiles\/"},"modified":"2025-01-22T16:58:40","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T16:58:40","slug":"how-four-roses-unique-recipes-create-different-bourbon-profiles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=41529","title":{"rendered":"How Four Roses’ Unique Recipes Create Different Bourbon Profiles"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Four Roses<\/span><\/a> is well-known for its ten distinct recipes that each produce different bourbon profiles. Allowing the distillery to cater to a variety of palates and diversify its portfolio, these Four Roses recipes are a point of pride for the brand. But, how exactly does this work?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the different yeasts and grains that are combined to create Four Roses recipes, and help you to figure out which recipe you might like the most.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Four Roses\u2019 Mash Bills & Yeast Strains\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The basis of Four Roses\u2019 recipes starts with the mash bill. The distillery employs two different mash bills:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • Mash Bill B \u2013 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% barley\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Mash Bill E \u2013 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% barley\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n


    These two mash bills offer different profiles when distilled into whiskey. For example, the mash bill with the higher rye content \u2013 Mash Bill B \u2013 will offer a spicier, perhaps earthier profile when compared to Mash Bill E which has 20% rye (this is still considered a high-rye mash bill, but it is not as high as Mash Bill B).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Once the mash bill has been selected, it is time to pick a yeast strain. Four Roses uses five different yeast strains, each of which has been proven to impart different notes to the finished bourbon. These yeast strains, both original and proprietary, are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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    • V \u2013 Produces notes of delicate fruit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • K \u2013 Produces a slight spice\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • O \u2013 Produces notes of rich fruit\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Q \u2013 Produces a floral essence\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    • F \u2013 Produces herbal notes\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n


      Using the two different mash bills and five different yeast strains, there are ten possible combinations \u2013 and therefore ten different recipes \u2013 that can make Four Roses bourbon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      The Ten Recipes\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

      Four Roses\u2019 ten recipes are named as follows:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
      Recipe<\/b><\/td>\nProfile<\/b><\/td>\nRecipe\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nProfile<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      OBSV<\/span><\/td>\nDelicate fruit & rye<\/span><\/td>\nOESV<\/span><\/td>\nDelicate fruit & caramel<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      OBSK<\/span><\/td>\nRye & baking spice<\/span><\/td>\nOESK<\/span><\/td>\nBaking spice<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      OBSO<\/span><\/td>\nRich fruit<\/span><\/td>\nOESO<\/span><\/td>\nRich fruit & vanilla<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      OBSQ<\/span><\/td>\nRye & light floral character<\/span><\/td>\nOESQ<\/span><\/td>\nDelicate grains & floral character<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
      OBSF<\/span><\/td>\nDelicate rye & mint\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nOESF<\/span><\/td>\nLight grain & mint<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

      The Four Roses recipes are named with a four-letter code, with each letter telling you something about the composition of the recipe. Let\u2019s use recipe number one \u2013 OBSV \u2013 as an example.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      The first letter, \u2018O\u2019 tells us that the bourbon was produced at the Four Roses Distillery. Notice that all recipes begin with \u2018O\u2019. The second letter, \u2018B\u2019, tells us which mash bill has been used. In this recipe, mash bill B, with a higher rye content, is used. \u2018S\u2019 is always the third letter, telling us that the whiskey is \u2018straight\u2019 whiskey. The final letter \u2018V\u2019, tells us which yeast strain has been used. Here, strain V is used, creating notes of delicate fruit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      How Does The Yeast Strain Affect The Flavor Of Four Roses Bourbon?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

      Yeast plays a huge role in shaping the profile of a whiskey. Whilst yeast is integral to the fermentation process in terms of converting sugars into alcohol, it also produces a number of byproducts that can affect the final flavor of a spirit. The most notable byproducts are esters and phenols. These contribute distinct aromatics and taste characteristics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Esters are produced when alcohol reacts with acids during fermentation and generally produce light and fruity whiskeys. Phenols are compounds derived from the breakdown of lignin in malted barley or from yeast metabolism. Whilst more common in peated scotch single malts (due to the barley content and use of <\/span>peat<\/span><\/a> drying) phenols can occur in bourbon and American whiskey. They generally produce woody, spicy, earthy notes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Different yeast strains produce varying types of esters and phenols, meaning that the distillers at Four Roses can tailor their recipe to the desired profile.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Which Bourbons Use Which Four Roses Recipes?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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      The brand\u2019s core range. Credit: Four Roses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      The bourbons in the brand\u2019s core range, apart from one, are crafted by blending together bourbons of varying Four Roses recipes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Four Roses Bourbon<\/span><\/a>, the brand\u2019s flagship, is an indulgent blend of all ten Four Roses recipes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Four Roses Small Batch is made of a blend of OBSK, OBSO, OESK, and OESO, resulting in aromas of sweet oak and caramel, rich berries and spice on the palate, and a lingering finish.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      The only bourbon currently on offer using one recipe is <\/span>Four Roses Single Barrel<\/span><\/a>, which is made from the OBSV recipe. This expression offers \u201cdried spice, pear, cocoa, vanilla, & maple syrup\u201d on the nose, followed by \u201chints of ripe plum & cherries\u201d on the palate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Finally, Four Roses Small Batch Select is a blend of OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK, and OESF. The nose offers raspberries, cloves, and nutmeg. The palate is full of berries, apricot, vanilla, and oak, and the finish is lingering spearmint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Of course, all such flavors are bolstered by maturation in virgin, charred American oak 53-gallon barrels. Four Roses does not experiment with cask finishes, instead relying on their ten different recipes to craft a variety of delicious bourbons. This focus on yeast sets Four Roses apart from many other whiskey producers. And, if you are a fan of Four Roses, you will know that the proof is in the profile.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n