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How to Read Four Roses Labels - 10 Profiles

    • 195 posts
    March 2, 2020 3:25 PM PST

    Four Roses Labels

     

    Four Roses uses two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains. The combinations of these make up the 10 distinctive recipes. The attached photo will teach you how to read the label and decipher exactly what makes up the spirit inside the bottle.

    The Four Roses 10 Bourbon Recipes

    OESK  OBSK
    OESQ  OBSQ
    OESO  OBSO
    OESF  OBSF
    OESV  OBSV

     

    1st Letter Indicates the Location of the Distillery

    The first letter is always the same. The “O” represents the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. According to Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliot, “The “O” is a throwback from the Seagram days when barrels had a distillery designation. “O” designated “Old Prentice” which is our current (Four Roses) distillery.” Back in their heyday, Seagram’s used to own many distilleries around the country.

     

    2nd Letter Indicates the Mash Bill

    Four Roses uses two mash bills.

    • E Mashbill = 75% Corn, 20% Rye and 5% Malted Barley
    • B Mashbill = 60% Corn, 35% Rye and 5% Malted Barley

    Four Roses Mashbill B and E

     

    3rd Letter Indicates the type of Whiskey

    The third letter is always the same. The “S” indicates Straight Whiskey.

     

    4th Letter Indicates the Yeast

    Four Roses uses five proprietary yeast strains identified by yeast codes. Each has its own flavor characteristics as described below:

    • V = Light Fruitiness, Light Vanilla, Caramel and Creamy
    • K = Light Slight Spice, Light Caramel and Full Bodied
    • O = Rich Fruitiness, Light Vanilla, Caramel and Full Bodied
    • Q = Essences of Floral
    • F  = Essences of Herbal Aromas

    This post was edited by admin at March 2, 2020 3:35 PM PST