Four Roses Single Barrel Recipe OESO Bourbon Whiskey

A richly layered, impeccably balanced single-barrel bourbon showcasing the depth and elegance possible within Four Roses’ house style. Four Roses Single Barrel OESO delivers generous notes of dark fruit, spice, and warm oak, all woven together with a silky, long finish — a barrel-select expression that’s both complex and supremely drinkable.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Produced by Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, this whiskey belongs to the brand’s celebrated Single Barrel lineup, where each bottle comes from an individual barrel selected for extraordinary character. What distinguishes the OESO recipe is Four Roses’ uniquely systematic approach to mash bills and yeast strains:

• O — the specific mash bill made with high corn (60%), low rye (35%), and malted barley (5%)

• E — the second of four proprietary yeast strains

• S — the fourth of two proprietary yeast strains

• O — the final letter confirms a specific yeast pairing used for fermentation

Four Roses crafts five mash bills and two yeast strains, creating ten distinct recipes. The OESO combination is prized for its rich, fruit-accented profile with soft spice, which shines beautifully in single-barrel expressions. Each barrel is matured in new charred American oak and bottled at a higher proof than the standard core range, preserving maximum nuance and intensity straight from the cask.

Critics Reviews & Scores

Professional reviewers consistently praise the OESO single barrels for their depth, structure, and balance, often placing them in the 93–96 point range among high-proof bourbons:

Whiskey Advocate – 94 points
Reviewers highlight the mouth-coating richness and fruit complexity, noting how the high corn mash bill contributes to a sweet, lush mid-palate while the yeast strain adds spice and aromatic breadth.

International Spirits Panels – 93–95 points
Critics emphasize the layered aromatic interplay between dark fruit, honeyed caramel, and toasted oak, along with a long, elegant finish that avoids harshness despite higher proof.

Across commentary, the consensus is that OESO single barrels exemplify Four Roses’ ability to craft deep, expressive bourbons that are approachable yet sophisticated — ideal for both sipping and thoughtful tasting.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Inviting and generous, with black cherry, ripe plum, and spiced apple at the forefront. Underlying notes of vanilla bean, toasted oak, caramel drizzle, and baking spice — cinnamon and nutmeg — add aromatic richness and depth.

Palate:
Full-bodied and layered, unveiling dark molasses, brown sugar, and ripe stone fruit with hints of toffee, cocoa nibs, and orange zest. Oak spice is present but well framed by a soft, velvety texture, while gentle rye spice provides lifted complexity without dominating the profile.

Finish:
Long, warm, and smooth — lingering caramel, soft oak tannins, and spice give way to a final echo of dark fruit and honeyed warmth, leaving a polished, memorable close.

Quick Overview