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The Epicurean Traveler

Inspiring Cultural Exploration Through Culinary Travel

Four Roses Bourbon Distillery Tour and Tasting: A Must-Have Kentucky Bourbon Experience

It wouldn’t be a proper visit to Kentucky without touring a bourbon distillery. And if you are of legal drinking age, you must drink the bourbon, too!

That is why, when I visited Kentucky for the first time, I visited Four Roses Bourbon Distillery. As you read on, you’ll see why the Four Roses Distillery tour and guided bourbon tastings (for visitors age 21 and older) are must-have Kentucky Bourbon Trail® experiences.

Disclosure: This guide to visiting Four Roses Bourbon Distillery in Kentucky contains some affiliate links. When you click on one of these links and make a purchase or book your lodging, I may earn a commission. As always, I only recommend products and services I have or would use myself.

Why Visit Four Roses Bourbon Distillery?

Four Roses is a world-famous bourbon distillery in Kentucky, but what really makes it worth visiting is its history and, of course, to taste its bourbon.

Even more interesting than seeing the bourbon-distilling process during a tour is learning the history of Four Roses and the love story that started it all in 1888.

As a romantic at heart, I particularly enjoyed the story of how Four Roses founder Paul Jones, Jr. named his company. I don’t want to ruin the surprise should you plan to tour Four Roses someday, but let’s just say Jones’s story is a tale of his two loves—bourbon and a Southern belle.

Also interesting to learn was how the change of ownership over the years impacted this legendary Kentucky distillery.

In 2002, Japanese company Kirin Brewing Company acquired Four Roses. Since then, Kirin Brewing Co. has made Four Roses’ Kentucky bourbon popular again in both the European and Japanese markets.

It also returned Four Roses to the United States after former-owner Seagram stopped selling the brand in the US decades ago.

Whether you take the Distillery Legacy Tour , do a Taste of History guided tasting , or explore the brand exhibits inside the visitor center, you will learn fun factoids about this legendary Kentucky bourbon!

Where is Four Roses Distillery?

Located on the banks of the Salt River in the Kentucky countryside, the Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg is roughly 20 miles south of Frankfort, about 25 miles southwest of Lexington , and less than 60 miles southeast of Louisville .

Therefore, it is ideally positioned for a bourbon distillery tour from Louisville , Lexington, or the Kentucky state capital, Frankfort.

How to Visit Four Roses Distillery

You can book a Four Roses tour or bourbon-tasting experience ahead of time online to visit on your own, or you can book a bourbon distillery tour to visit Four Roses and other bourbon makers in one day.

If you plan to visit Four Roses without a tour guide, you have several options to book, and advance reservations are recommended.

You should take the Distillery Legacy Tour, which ends with a guided bourbon flight tasting, if you want to learn about the distillation process.

However, if you are only interested in tasting the Four Roses Bourbons, opt instead for one of the tasting experiences, such as the single-barrel flight tasting experience.

My top pick for culinary travelers is A Taste of History. This guided flight tasting provides an overview of the history, brand legacy, and timeless recipes that have made Four Roses one of Kentucky’s most famous bourbon distillers.

Alternatively, taking a Kentucky bourbon distillery tour may be best if your group plans to indulge in the bourbon and/or visit multiple distilleries in one day. These guided tours include the distillery tour admission costs and private transportation.

For example, Blue Bourbon Experience’s Bourbon Trail tour from Louisville stops at Four Roses and two other renowned Kentucky bourbon distilleries, and Unfiltered KY Tours offers customizable private bourbon distillery tours to Four Roses and about 40 other bourbon distilleries in Kentucky.

Is Four Roses on the Bourbon Trail™ Passport?

The historic Four Roses Bourbon distillery is one of 46 distilleries listed in the official Bourbon Trail™ Passport & Field Guide. Therefore, you can collect a passport stamp when you tour the Four Roses distillery.

However, the field guide is much more than a souvenir passport. It’s a 150-page guidebook with trip-planning resources, bourbon-tasting notes, cocktail recipes, and more.

Additionally, your field guide unlocks access to special bourbon bottles, merchandise, tastings, tours, and experiences, but these perks vary by distillery.

You can purchase yours at any of the participating distilleries, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Welcome Center, or the KBT® online shop .

The field guide replaces the free Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour™ passports, but you can still use your old passports or combine them with a new field guide to earn rewards.

Once you have completed the KBT® and KBTCT™ trails, you should scan both QR codes to receive a special bourbon gift.

Four Roses Bourbon Distillery Tour

Your tour will begin at the Four Roses Visitor Center. Before or after your tour, you can explore exhibits about the brand’s history and bourbons, shop for souvenirs, or sip a cocktail at Bar 1888.

When I toured Four Roses Distillery in 2014, the experience began with a video about how Four Roses makes its bourbons. Then it was time to see the distilling process in action!

Back then, the tour’s first stop was the historic distillery erected in 1910. I have to admit the Spanish Mission-style architecture was not what I expected to see at a bourbon distillery in the heart of Kentucky, and this unique building is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

During our tour, I learned about the components used in making bourbon, the distilling process, and the difference between bourbon and whiskey. I even tasted the corn mash. It’s not awful to taste, but trying mash once is enough for a lifetime. Personally, I prefer bourbon in its finished form. 😉

It’s important to note that some of the tour is outside, so you’ll want to dress accordingly. However, even on chilly days, you’ll warm right up inside the distillery — and later by drinking bourbon.

Tasting Four Roses Bourbon

Following the 50-minute distillery tour, we sampled several of the award-winning Four Roses bourbons during a guided tasting. After tasting the Small Batch and Single Barrel bourbons, I noticed my preference for smoother blends that gently warmed my palate.

The bourbons we tasted are meant to be consumed neat, on the rocks, or with a splash of water. However, many folks in Kentucky love their mint juleps, especially during the Kentucky Derby. If you like mint juleps, you’ll definitely want to check out the Four Roses gift shop.

Personally, I still prefer my bourbons in a well-mixed cocktail. If you also enjoy bourbon cocktails, plan a visit to Bar 1888 inside the Four Roses Visitor Center.

What to Know Before Visiting Four Roses Distillery

• Location: 1224 Bonds Mill Road, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342
• Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday, Noon – 4 p.m. Sunday
• A Taste of History – Guided Flight Tasting & History Experience:  $16
• Distillery Legacy Tour: $22
• Single Barrel Flight Tasting: $45
• Reservations: Recommended
• Bring:  Valid government-issued ID (passport or U.S. driver’s license/state ID), phone/camera, and your Bourbon Trail™ Passport & Field Guide

Where to Stay Near Four Roses Distillery

You can easily visit Four Roses Distillery on a day trip from Kentucky’s largest cities, or you can stay within a short drive of the distillery in the beautiful countryside. In the area, you’ll find the following charming bed and breakfasts.

Charred Oaks Inn — This romantic bed and breakfast is a favorite among couples seeking a getaway near Kentucky’s bourbon distilleries, wineries, and horse farms. Prior guests highlighted the hospitality and local insights provided by the innkeepers, Pamela and Richard.

A Storybook Inn Bed & Breakfast — Previous guests loved the gourmet breakfast and luxurious touches in the themed suites of this quaint bed and breakfast in an 1840s-era Victorian house in Versailles.

Rose Hill Inn — During your stay at this 1823 estate in Versailles, take in the historical elegance while finding comfort in the well-appointed modern amenities. Past guests loved the cozy, inviting atmosphere and attentive hospitality.

Not quite what you are looking for? Browse the map below to find more lodging near Four Roses!

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Pin this post to your Kentucky travel board on Pinterest for planning your future Kentucky Bourbon trip!

About Erin Klema

Erin Klema is the founder and editor of The Epicurean Traveler, combining her journalism background with her passion for culinary travel. When she isn't exploring the world through unique, local culinary experiences, she enjoys cooking with her husband, planning her next trip, and reading or watching a good rom com.

Reader Interactions

October 24, 2016 at 7:02 pm

Have been thinking of doing the Bourbon Trail with friends – I would definitely tour a distillery! Four roses looks like a good one!

January 18, 2016 at 11:57 am

I’m hoping to do the Bourbon Trail sometime this year when I am in WV to visit family. Looks like so much fun plus DIERKS BENTLEY frequents some of the destinations. In his private plane I might add. LOL

January 18, 2016 at 12:50 pm

Well, if Dierks Bentley will be there …

January 16, 2016 at 8:16 pm

Awesome post. I haven’t been to Kentucky since I turned 21, but I can’t wait to do the Bourbon Trail!

January 16, 2016 at 9:03 pm

I try to visit a different bourbon distillery on each trip to Kentucky. Hopefully, I’ll hit all the Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries someday!

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Four Roses Distillery

Spanish mission-style architecture is rare in Kentucky, making Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Ky., an interesting departure from the traditional bourbon distillery. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Four Roses is the only distillery that combines five proprietary yeast strains with two separate mash bills to produce 10 distinct recipes.

The Four Roses Distillery Tour

Full tours are currently being offered at the newly renovated Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, giving you a look behind the scenes of the historic facility. Tours of their Cox’s Creek unique single-story warehouse and bottling facility also are available. 

The Bourbon Tastings

Built in 1910, the historic venue crafts Four Roses Yellow Label, Four Roses Small Batch, Four Roses Single Barrel and the new Four Roses Small Batch Select. You’ll sample three during your tasting — perhaps in the outdoor gazebo if it’s sunny! The tasting includes a complimentary Four Roses bourbon glass.

BOOK A MINT JULEP TOUR HERE

Things to know about Four Roses Distillery

Frequently asked questions.

Where is Four Roses Distillery?

Four Roses bourbons are made at their Lawrenceburg, Ky., distillery located at 1224 Bonds Mill Road.

Who owns Four Roses Distillery?

Four Roses Distillery is owned by Japanese company Kirin.

What bourbons and whiskeys does Four Roses Distillery produce?

Four Roses Distillery produces Four Roses bourbons including Yellow Label, Small Batch, Single Barrel and Small Batch Select.

Is Four Roses Distillery on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?

Yes, Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg or Four Roses Warehouse and Bottling Facility in Cox’s Creek can count on your Kentucky Bourbon Trail® passport.

Which distilleries are near Four Roses Distillery?

You have two options to experience the Four Roses brand. The Four Roses Distillery is located east of Louisville near Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve . The Four Roses Warehouse and Bottling Facility is located south of the city between Jim Beam American Stillhouse and Barton 1792 Distillery .

Where can I find out more about Four Roses Distillery?

Learn about Four Roses Distillery at fourrosesbourbon.com .

Start Planning Your Kentucky Bourbon Distillery Tour

Let’s start planning your ultimate Kentucky bourbon distillery tour today! We offer a variety of public tours as well as custom-made experiences that are tailored to your every bourbon desire.

CONTACT AN EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR

Bourbon Reviews, Distillery News and Information

Bourbon Obsessed℠

Four Roses Distillery Tour

• October 11, 2023
• Distilleries , Distillery Reviews

Four Roses Distillery 1224 Bonds Mill Road Lawrenceburg, KY 40342 (502) 839-3436 Wed – Sat: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Sun: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm https://www.fourrosesbourbon.com

Four roses warehouse & bottling facility 624 lotus road cox’s creek, ky 40013 (502) 543-2264 wed – sat: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. sun: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. https://www.fourrosesbourbon.com.

Please enjoy our Four Roses Distillery and Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling Facility Tour Review!

Four Roses Distillery Offers Two Tours In One

Four Roses is unique in that they offer tours of both their Lawrenceburg Distillery and their Cox’s Creek Warehouse and Bottling Facility, all for one price.  While the facilities may be 50 miles apart, you do have 60 days to use your ticket to visit the second location. However, while it is possible, it can be a little tricky to do these both in the same day. Alternatively, Four Roses offers tasting experiences without tours at both their locations, as well.

Both Four Roses Tours In The Same Day

A few years back, we did do both tours in the same day. However, demand for tours was not as high back then, as it is today. We started with a 9AM Four Roses Distillery Tour in Lawrenceburg and then did the 11AM Four Roses Warehouse and Bottling Facility Tour (also referred to simply as “Cox’s Creek”). It is probably best to do the tours in that order, especially if you don’t have a reservation at the second location, since the Bottling Facility generally gets fewer visitors than the Four Roses Distillery itself. In addition, if you don’t have a reservation, it is a good idea to call ahead to the second location to avoid disappointment.

However, it is possible to book both tours ahead of time online, and then you could start anywhere that you choose. When you check in for your second tour, simply present the ticket from your first tour. If it was within 60 days, they will refund the cost of the second tour.

The Four Roses Cox’s Creek Warehouse and Bottling Facility Is Less Crowded, but…

Although the Four Roses Cox’s Creek Warehouse and Bottling Facility tour is less crowded than the Distillery tour, the van used for the Cox’s Creek tour only has a small capacity, and therefore, the tours are limited to 10 people. This is in contrast to the Four Roses Distillery Tours, which can accommodate up to 18 folks.

Therefore, if you plan to do both tours on the same day, we would recommend doing what we did – make reservations online for the first tour at the Four Roses Distillery and then high-tail it to Cox’s Creek. If you have to wait to get on the next tour, you can go over to the James B Beam Distillery (Jim Beam), which is just 3 miles away in Clermont, KY, to pass the time. Times have changed, though, and it seems that reservations are needed everywhere. So, it might be best to try to make the Four Roses Warehouse and Bottling Facility Tour reservations ahead of time, if you can.

The Four Roses Distillery Tour

It has been a while since we have taken The Four Roses Distillery tour, but when we did, it started with a short introductory movie discussing the making of bourbon and the history of Four Roses. The tour then headed outside, where an overview of the distillery buildings was presented.  This was followed by a walk through the distillery buildings, starting with the cookers, then on to the cypress fermenters (climb the ladder to the second story vantage point for a great view!), and lastly, it was on to the stills. Four Roses has 2 large column stills and pot still doublers. 

Time For A Tasting

Next is the tasting room, where we sampled 3 bourbons: Four Roses Bourbon (formerly known as “Yellow Label”, now with a tan label), Four Roses Small Batch, and the most recent addition to the line, Four Roses Small Batch Select. Your tasting may include Four Roses other flagship bourbon, Single Barrel. The tour finishes in the gift shop, similar to most tours. Recently, Four Roses built a completely new, large visitor center. It houses said gift shop, where one can purchase all sorts of Four Roses parephernalia, as well as bourbon. There’s a cocktail bar, too, if you are so inclined. You can even enjoy your drinks outside on the scenic patio!

Time To Head To The Four Roses Warehouse and Bottling Facility in Cox’s Creek

The drive to Cox’s Creek is pretty simple. Just hop on the Bluegrass Parkway, get off at Bardstown on Route 150, make a quick turn onto Route 245, and take that to the small road that goes to the facility.  Your GPS will guide you.  We made the trip in around 50 minutes.

At Cox’s Creek, we just showed our tickets and ID again, and in 5 minutes the tour started.  If you are not as lucky, or did not make advance reservations, you might find that the next tour is full and may have to wait a bit longer.  Again, advance planning is key, so call ahead or make reservations online.

The Bottling Facility Tour

Our tour began in the gift shop, with a brief introduction by our guide. We then boarded the van for the drive to the bottling facility.  Unfortunately, the bottling facility only runs Monday through Friday, so it was not operating while we were there, but we were still allowed inside and spent a bit of time there. Our tour guide explained how both the high speed line (used for most of the products) and the low speed line (which is used for the single barrels) functioned.

Let’s Dump Some Barrels

The next stop was the barrel dumping facility, where the barrels are emptied.  Once emptied, the bourbon is chill filtered and then goes on to the bottling line. Also in this building is the barrel filling facility.  Four times a day the bourbon is trucked from the Four Roses Distillery and is subsequently dispensed into barrels.

Four Roses Warehouse C

Lastly, we were taken inside Warehouse C, where 24,000 bourbon barrels are stored, all in a single story.  Four Roses is unique amongst the large distilleries in that all of their warehouses are a single story.  As of the time of this writing Four Roses has 21 warehouse, with plans to add another 17 by 2024.  With each holding 24,000+ barrels, that is quite a bit of bourbon!

Time For Another Tasting

Our Four Roses Warehouse and Bottling Facility Tour ended back in their small visitor center. In the tasting room, we again sampled the Four Roses line, received another glass, and once again finished in the gift shop.

Four Roses Distillery Tour and Cox’s Creek Warehouse and Bottling Facility Visitors Take Heed

We will leave you with this one very important piece of advice: Four Roses  does not  accept the American Express card , so be sure to bring one of the other major credit cards, or cash, to pay for your tour and purchases. Not heeding this advice could lead to great disappointment when you find out that you can’t pay for that coveted bottle that you found in the gift shop. I, myself, have fallen victim to this pitfall. So, please bring cash or a major credit card other than AMEX. Have fun! Cheers!🥃

Please note that Distillery Hours and Tour/Tasting Availability may vary. Please contact the distillery or check their web page or social media for details before you go.

We hope that you have enjoyed our Four Roses Distillery and Four Roses Warehouse & Bottling Facility Tour Review! Would you like to learn about some of the Four Roses Bourbons? Then read our Four Roses Small Batch Select Bourbon Review or our Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon Review !

Would you like to learn more about distilleries and bourbon? Are you planning a trip to Kentucky Distilleries? Maybe you would like to live the bourbon life vicariously through us?? If any of these are true, then check out BourbonObsessed.com today!

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Four Roses Distillery Tour – Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Four roses distillery tour: an in-depth exploration of bourbon excellence.

A journey of discovery and tradition with the Four Roses Distillery Tour. Located in Kentucky’s renowned bourbon country, Four Roses Distillery melds rich history, unique distilling techniques, and architectural beauty, making it a standout destination on the bourbon trail. This tour is an immersive experience for anyone interested in the art and nuances of bourbon making, offering a chance to explore one of America’s most iconic bourbon brands.

Discover the Rich Legacy with Four Roses Distillery Tour

Your tour experience begins with a historical overview of Four Roses, delving into its origins and evolution. Uncover the romantic legend behind the name, explore the brand’s early successes, its endurance through Prohibition, and its triumphant return to the forefront of the bourbon industry. The story of Four Roses is a captivating tale of resilience, quality, and dedication to the craft of bourbon making.

A Glimpse into the Bourbon Crafting Process

As you journey through the distillery, witness the meticulous process that goes into creating Four Roses bourbon. The tour takes you through each stage – from grain selection, milling, and mashing, to the intricacies of fermentation and distillation. Understand how Four Roses’ distinct approach to using two mash bills and five yeast strains creates a diverse and rich flavor profile, setting their bourbons apart.

Tasting the Uniqueness of Four Roses

A highlight for many, the tasting session, allows you to indulge in the distinctive flavors of Four Roses’ various bourbon expressions. Guided by expert staff, learn to identify the complex notes and aromas that define each bourbon’s character. This sensory experience is both educational and delightful, enhancing your appreciation for the subtleties of fine bourbon.

Strolling Through the Historic Distillery

The tour includes a walk around the iconic Four Roses Distillery, featuring striking Spanish Mission-style architecture. This visual journey complements the bourbon tasting, as the beauty and tranquility of the distillery’s buildings and grounds add a unique dimension to the experience.

The Mastery Behind Four Roses Bourbon

Gain insights into the mastery and innovation that drive Four Roses. Learn about the distillery’s commitment to quality and consistency, and how their selective approach to bourbon production results in a truly superior product. The tour sheds light on the craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into every bottle of Four Roses bourbon.

An Experience for Bourbon Lovers and Novices Alike

The Four Roses Distillery Tour is designed to be an enriching experience for both seasoned bourbon enthusiasts and those new to the world of whiskey. The tour’s informative and engaging nature ensures that every guest, regardless of their prior knowledge of bourbon, finds the experience enlightening and enjoyable.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

Explore Four Roses’ commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The tour highlights the distillery’s efforts in sustainable practices, showcasing how responsible bourbon production is an integral part of their operation.

Behind the Scenes: The Art of Aging and Blending

Delve into the art of aging and blending at Four Roses. Understand the crucial role that aging plays in developing the bourbon’s flavor profile and how the careful selection and blending of different barrels create the signature Four Roses taste.

Exclusive Releases and Limited Edition Bourbons

Discover the world of Four Roses’ exclusive releases and limited edition bourbons. These special offerings represent the pinnacle of the distillery’s creativity and expertise, providing a rare opportunity to taste some of the most unique and sought-after bourbons in their portfolio.

A Journey Through Bourbon’s Heartland

The Four Roses Distillery Tour is more than just a visit to a bourbon distillery; it’s a comprehensive exploration of bourbon culture, history, and craftsmanship. It’s a must-do experience for anyone looking to delve deeper into the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon heritage.

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the world of Kentucky bourbon? Book your Four Roses Distillery Tour now and join us for an unforgettable adventure. Discover the history, savor the craftsmanship, and enjoy the unique flavors that make Four Roses a legend in the bourbon world. Reserve your spot today for an unparalleled journey into the art of bourbon making!

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Four Roses Distillery Review

Four Roses Bourbon isn’t as well known as brands like Maker’s Mark, Bulleit, or Wild Turkey. However, Four Roses still commands a place among the most widely enjoyed bourbon brands in the world. Four Roses’ base offerings are a step above many of the other mass-market whiskeys. For this reason, visiting Four Roses is a great stop on any Whiskey Trail Itinerary . The following is a review of a visit to the Four Roses Distillery.

As with many of the historic Kentucky distilleries, Four Roses began under another name. The Old Prentice Distillery was founded in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky in 1910. The builders of the original distillery created the buildings in a Spanish Mission-style. Unfortunately, there are varied accounts of the founding of Old Prentice Distillery. Some accounts state that Paul Jones, Jr. is the founder of the brand, while others reference Rufus Mathewson Rose. In the end, the owners sold the brand so many times that the lineage isn’t important.

Seagram’s bought the Four Roses brand in 1943. In a push for profits and to elevate the brand, Seagram’s discontinued Four Roses in the United States in the 1950s. They did this because they chose to focus on Asian and European markets. Therefore, for most of the lifetimes of people currently living, customers could not buy Four Roses in the US. It wasn’t until 1995 that Four Roses returned to sale in the US. Since 1995, the most well-known products from Four Roses include the name-sake label, Small Batch, Single Barrel, and Small Batch Select.

Tour, Tasting, or Something Else?

Four Roses offers both tours and tasting experiences out of the visitor’s center at their distillery. Four Roses operates a separate warehouse and bottling facility in Cox Creek, Kentucky (a little closer to Louisville). The warehouse and bottling facility has some different tour and tasting options than the distillery. The obvious differences between the two are the main subject of the tours: distilling vs bottling. What follows is a review of the options available at the distillery.

The visitor’s center serves as the first point of entry for all guests wanting to go on a tour or tasting. Four Roses recently renovated the visitor center to provide a great introduction to the brand. As with most visitor’s centers, there is a large selection of merchandise and product on display. Visitors are able to purchase Four Roses items as well as some whiskeys that are harder to find outside the distillery.

Check-in for all the tours and tastings is done in the visitor’s center. Four Roses will accept walk-ins for the tours, but most times there won’t be any spaces available. For that reason, it is recommended that visitors obtain reservations in advance.

The standard tour at Four Roses is called the Distillery Legacy Tour. This is one of the tours that I recommend guests take. The grounds of Four Roses are completely walkable without a tour. That means that guests are able to enjoy the Spanish Mission-style architecture without paying a tour fee. However, you aren’t able to go inside the distillery. That is the reason to pay for the tour (in addition to the tasting included at the end).

The tour will take visitors into the distillery to see the process from grain grinding to cooking the grain to the doubler and then to fermentation. While this distillery will feel somewhat industrial, it will also feel smaller than many others (like Wild Turkey or Bulleit). Some of the fermentation vats are still made of cypress at Four Roses which is something visitors are able to get up close to.

The tour ends with the same bourbon tasting that visitors get if they book the tasting alone. This means that the tour is longer than the tasting at 1 hour and 15 minutes compared to the 30 minutes of the standard tasting. It is also a few dollars more at $22 per person. However, in the end, I think the extra time and little cost is well worth doing the tour here.

Four Roses conducts tastings in a glass-enclosed room that sits off from the main merchandise section of the visitor’s center. Unfortunately, this doesn’t provide any great views (like Wild Turkey provides from their tasting room). Actually, it sort of makes those enjoying the tasting on display for the visitors out in the visitor’s center. This is probably a marketing choice by Four Roses; however, it still diminishes the experience a little.

During the tasting, guests have the opportunity to sample the four recipes that Four Roses is famous for. These include the namesake Four Roses, Small Batch, Single Barrel, and Small Batch Select. Guests sit four to a table at small high-top tables. I personally would have preferred more room as there wasn’t a lot of space at the tables. It was just my wife and I at a four-seat table when we visited, and I still am saying this. I wouldn’t have wanted to have four people pushed together unless they were part of our group.

The tasting guide did a good job explaining the different mash bills and yeasts that Four Roses uses. They combine ten different recipes into the various bottlings of their whiskeys. If you pay close attention during the discussion on the recipes, visitors will learn the codes that identify the different recipes. This knowledge is useful in understanding what the flavor profile of a specific bottle would be in a store by reading the code on the label.

At the end of the day, the whiskey tasting at Four Roses was good but not great. The delicious bourbon is hard to savor in 30 minutes; the experience felt rushed. The tasting costs $16 per person. While this isn’t a bad price, the best value is to do the tour and tasting together. As long as you have the time to spend (and I recommend that you make the time), this is a much better value for your investment in both cost and time. Finally, at the end of the tasting, all guests get to take home an etched Four Roses glass.

Something Else

At various times of the year, special tours or tastings are offered. This doesn’t regularly happen so I won’t spend much time writing about it. However, keep an eye on the Four Roses reservations page to see if something is coming up that interests you. For example, at the current time, the special event is a Single Barrel Tasting Experience. This provides guests the opportunity to taste bourbon from single barrels to get greater exposure to each of the mash bills and recipes that Four Roses uses.

Despite looking at this in September, the only available time for this tour is the last weekend of November and first three weekends of December. These aren’t exactly prime times to visit the whiskey country of Kentucky so take factors like this into account when looking to book something. Personally, I would just stick to the normal tour unless something really special aligned with the time I was going to be there.

Reservation Process

Four Roses makes their reservations available online on their website: https://fourrosesbourbon.com/visit/ . As with most distilleries, it is advantageous to book your reservations early. As an example, at the time of writing, there are only four days in the next month that have availability for two people to go on the tour. All except for one of these days have only one time slot available. Waiting till the last minute really limits your tour options. Two months out has more, but still spotty, availability. Three to four months out seems to be the point at which tours are available for booking most days of the week.

The basic tours and tastings at Four Roses are well-priced. While they aren’t free like Buffalo Trace, they are very competitive in the landscape of Kentucky distillery tours. First, a tasting cost $16 per person. This isn’t a bad cost, but I don’t consider it to be the best value at Four Roses. The tours are the best value in my opinion. The 1-hour and 15-minute tour and tasting experience will cost participants $22 each. It will be hard to beat the tour and whiskey that you get for this price. Therefore, I would almost always recommend going for the distillery tour when visiting Four Roses.

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Incredible Tour at Four Roses Distillery - Four Roses

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Incredible Tour at Four Roses Distillery

One of the best distillery tours starting with an excellent short video and then moving through the distillery itself (you will need to climb narrow steps). Guide, Derrick, was excellent and knowledgeable and the tasting was fantastic. You even get to keep your glass! Well worth the $5 tour cost as Four Roses is consistently a great bourbon buy. A don't-miss-it distillery on the bourbon trail from their distinctive architecture to their well-organized tour and visitor's center.

Although we only visited three of the distilleries on the Bourbon Trail, this was definitely our favorite! The staff was wonderful (particularly Heather!) in helping me keep the surprise for my husband birthday (they put us in the media room first to wait till all our friends had arrived so he wouldn't know!). It was a nice, small business were they made you feel welcomed and wasn't nearly as "touristy" as Woodford Reserve. You get nice headsets so you can actually here what your tour guide is saying which was helpful in the loud production areas. Heather was our tour guide and she had a great sense of humor and made the experience a lot fun!!

First, the grounds were beautiful! It really reminded me of Temecula, CA. Absolutely beautiful! Our tour guide, Kendall, was very knowledgable and obviously loved her job. I couldn't have asked for a better guide through the distillery. The entire tour was great. I loved how they used the headsets, that really helped us to hear everything and get all of the interesting information. Also, the price of the tour was amazing. Only $5 per person and you receive a free glass at the end. WELL WORTH IT! I'd never drank Four Roses before, but there will be a place made in my whiskey collection for a bottle. We will be retuning with family! Thank you so much for a very nice visit, Four Roses.

Spent a day touring Bourbon Distilleries in Kentucky, and Four Roses was a favorite of the group. The guide was humorous, yet informative, and the tour went right to the heart of the distillery. Walking among the fermentation tanks was incredible. Finally, the tasting was more like doing shots, and the opportunity to keep the glass made the $5 tour charge trivial. Loved the tour. Love Four Roses Bourbon.

Another stop on the Bourbon Trail and this was a great place. The visitor center was beautiful, very friendly staff and nice gift options. The tour started with an interesting video, 45 minutes touring the facility. Up front and personal through the plant, the grounds were pretty for January, definitely go when the roses are blooming, it would look magnificent. The bourbon was delicious, just like my old man drank 40 years ago!

The location is awesome! The grounds and the buildings are beautiful! The tour guide a was really nice and he was very knowledgeable. The bourbon tasting was awesome too. Not much I can really say bad about the place. If you are ever in the neighborhood, check it out.

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A Day on the Trail: Four Roses Distillery Celebrates Opening of New 14k Sq. Ft. Visitor Center, 1888 Bar & 4 Tasting Rooms

• Posted on December 9, 2021
• By Distillery Trail

Tourism along the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail continues to grow year after year. Now, Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky , one of the founding members of the Trail back in 1999, is ready to welcome more bourbon fans than ever before thanks to a completely new and expanded visitor center.

Four Roses celebrated the grand opening of its visitor center with a ribbon cutting and the release of a commemorative distillery only bottle of Four Roses 20-year-old single barrel OBSV bourbon. The visitor center project is part of Four Roses’ ongoing investment to accommodate a growing demand for its bourbon. It was just about a year and a half ago they doubled bourbon production capacity, expanded its bottling line and added new warehouses at their facility in Cox’s Creek to help keep up with worldwide demand.

The new 14,446-square-foot visitor center is designed to both inform and educate guests about Four Roses’ different bourbons, its distilling process, and its unique history in an enjoyable, immersive experience.

The new building is modeled after the existing Spanish mission-style structures unique to Four Roses and this part of the country. The interior space has an accompanying 3,850-square-foot outdoor covered patio and cocktail area.

The new visitor center provides the potential to double Four Roses’ visitor capacity. In the most recent year of full tourism, 2019, Four Roses welcomed 84,979 guests from all 50 states and over 45 countries.

“I’m very proud to be here today to celebrate the next step in Four Roses ongoing investment in Kentucky,” commented Four Roses Distillery President, CEO & CMO Masakazu ‘Mark’ Ashida. “In the past several years we have doubled our distillation capacity here in Lawrenceburg to meet the increasing global demand for our bourbon. We have also built new warehouses in Cox’s Creek where our bourbon is quietly aging. And today, we open this beautiful new facility enhancing our stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

“Over the past five years we have seen more than a 40% increase in the number of visitors, and we are so pleased to be able to welcome even more guests from all over to the world to this beautiful facility. We now offer an elevated experience and a number of new tasting and educational opportunities. Kentucky has been our home since 1888 and we are very appreciative of the partnership Four Roses has had with Kentucky all these many years.”

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What Can Visitors Expect in the New Four Roses Visitor Center?

“It’s an exciting time at Four Roses and we are proud to take this next step in our effort to provide an enhanced experience to our visitors, while maintaining our commitment to producing top-quality Bourbon,” said Four Roses Guest Experience Manager Kelli Wright. “The new visitor center provides our guests with more opportunities to learn about and experience Four Roses in some very welcoming and comfortable new spaces.”

The new visitor center includes:

• Bar 1888 – named for the year the Four Roses name was first trademarked, with offerings from Four Roses’ current bourbon portfolio and specialty cocktails. In addition, Bar 1888 will offer selections from Four Roses’ highly acclaimed annual releases from the Limited-Edition Small Batch series
• The Al Young Archive Collection – an interactive display showcasing the range of Four Roses bottlings from throughout its 133-year history. The display is named for the beloved Al Young, who spent more than five decades in various roles at the distillery, including recording and sharing the rich history of Four Roses through years of research into archives and artifacts
• Four seated tasting rooms offering a space for enhanced educational experiences
• Enhanced tasting experiences  including an exclusive opportunity to taste individual selections from Four Roses’ ten bourbon recipes that are used to create its core product line
• Expanded retail gift shop with Four Roses’ Bourbon products and other branded merchandise for sale
• Outdoor patio space where visitors can enjoy the beautiful distillery grounds

“We could not build a structure such as this without a lot of planning, a lot of hard work and some excellent partnerships,” said Director of Corporate Strategy & Development Four Roses Distillery Brian McBrayer. “In total 53 different companies and organization worked together to construct this building. Hundreds of workers over the last year and a half have labored at this site.

“111 years ago, our predecessors decided that the Spanish Mission style of architectures was going to really catch on in Kentucky. But they determined that that is what they wanted to stay with so when we trying to design, and figure out what we were going to do at the visitor center, we thought we would stay with that. And believe it or not, 111 years ago they selected an architectural firm, Joseph & Joseph + Bravura Architects , out of Louisville to help them do that. And you know what? We selected Joseph and Joseph to help us design this.”

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Introducing the ‘Al Young Archive Collection’

“This new visitor center is over 14,000 square feet,” explained Four Roses Chief Operations Officer Ryan Ashley. “Inside you’ll find Bar 1888. Our brand-new bourbon and cocktail bar which will offer a number of new tasting opportunities. The space itself draws from several bourbon related features; white oak floors and ceilings paying tribute to our bourbon barrels; our bar tables feature 100-year-old reclaimed barn wood, and a section of the original Vendome Copper & Brass Works copper beer still is featured inside.

“But perhaps the feature inside that is most special to me, and I’m sure quite a few of you out there, is the new interactive display showcasing the range of Four Roses bottlings from throughout our brands 133-year history. We are dedicating this new display in the name of the late Al Young who spent more than 50 years as a part of the Four Roses family.

“Al served a variety of roles at the distillery but is best known and beloved by many for his story telling. As brand ambassador and historian, he spent years researching, archiving, going through distillery records, news accounts, photos, artifacts and bending the ear and asking the question of anyone he could find all in order to record and share the rich history of Four Roses with the people around the world.

“Anyone who met Al knew that he was someone special. Members of Al’s family are here today. His daughter Heather, his son Mark and his beautiful bride Gretchen.

“Today we honor the memory of our beloved friend through the ‘Al Young Archive Collection’. His work in helping to tell the story of Four Roses will be displayed to Four Roses visitors for many years to come.”

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Introducing Four Roses 20-Year-Old Single Barrel Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

As a part of the grand opening Four Roses has released a limited-edition 20-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon OBSV whiskey. This limited 114.2 proof (57.1% ABV) bourbon is only available at the distillery and select retail stores. It has a suggested retail price of $199 for a 750 mL bottle.

Established in 1888, Four Roses combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to distill and age 10 distinct Bourbon recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile.

Reservations are required for distillery tours.

Related Stories  How to Read a Four Roses Single Barrel Label – It’s as Easy as OESO [Infographic] Four Roses Distillery Tourism Up 43%, Announces Visitor Center Expansion to Double Capacity   Four Roses Distillery Senior Brand Ambassador and Historian Al Young has Died   Four Roses Distillery Celebrates Journey from Exile to Rebirth to $55 Million Expansion – Doubles Capacity

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Four Roses Bourbon Review: A Spirited Southern Harmony

Discover the Charm of Four Roses Bourbon

Ah, Four Roses Bourbon , my dear friends – it’s not just a bourbon, it’s practically a Southern symphony in a bottle. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Sip your mint julep, and let’s muse over this amber nectar that’s been tickling taste buds since the good ol’ days.

From the rolling hills of Kentucky distilleries comes this spirit, just as smooth as the bluegrass tunes of the region. What makes it unique? Well, could it be the love story that inspired it, or the fact that this bourbon is the outcome of an intricate blending technique combining not one, not two, but ten bourbon recipes? It’s no wonder that with two mashbills and five different yeast strains , each sip is like a warm, welcoming hug from a dear old friend.

The Aromatic Prelude: Nose

Upon first whiff, you’ll be greeted with a veritable bouquet of scents. Imagine a garden party replete with fruit and floral notes – dried apricots making nice with light peaches while citrus blossoms and a hint of lavender dance in the background. And just when you think this olfactory gala couldn’t get any livelier, in struts a suave touch of spice, with a whisper of oak that swoons, “Trust me, the best is yet to come.”

A Palate Pleaser: Taste

Let’s tango across the palate, shall we? The spice, confident yet not overpowering, makes the first move at this 80-proof shindig. Then, the floral flavors saunter in, setting up base camp while the apricot and peach nuances shimmy against a backdrop of faint oaky caramel. Adequate? Yes, but it’s like that steadfast friend who’s always there – reliable and, frankly, quite fabulous. The back-end surprises with a zestful flourish, offering an encore that reassures you’ve made the right beverage choice.

Curtain Call: Finish

As the flavors settle into their final resting place, imagine a soft bed of fruit and floral notes, now cuddled under a duvet of light brown sugar and mellow spice. The intensity here is like a librarian’s hush – present but far from overbearing. It’s the kind of finish that sneaks up on you, loitering longer than anticipated, leaving you with a gentle nudge rather than a push.

Unveiling the Alchemy: Uniqueness

Picture a bourbon alchemist melding together all ten bourbon recipes – it’s a bit like conducting an orchestra where every instrument complements each other, aiming for harmony rather than cacophony. The varying contributions of the Q yeast strain bring out a delightful essence of floral aromas, albeit being a mere slice of the production pie. It’s evident that Four Roses Bourbon isn’t trying to shock and awe – it’s content with hitting all the right notes with commendable consistency courtesy of its versatile components.

The Balancing Act: Bourbon Value

Is Four Roses Bourbon worth your hard-earned clams? Absolutely! With a value that shines brighter in the economic twilight of today’s market, this spirited concoction offers more bang for your buck than it did in yesteryears. At a bargain price, it’s the Clark Kent of bourbons – unassuming yet remarkable. Sitting prettily alongside its cousins, the Small Batch and Single Barrel, it holds its weight in the lineup, revealing its commitment to bourbon value in today’s spirited marketplace.

Wrapping It Up: Overall

Wrapping your lips around a glass of this bourbon is like wrapping up in grandma’s hand-stitched quilt – its comfort you can count on, imbued with history and a dash of mellow drama. With its accolades in blending and a taste that’s as dependable as the postman, Four Roses Bourbon is the entry-level expression that holds the door open for neophytes and entices connoisseurs back for a reminiscent tipple. Whether neat, on the rocks, or jazzing up your cocktail, this dram will neither upstage nor underwhelm.

Well, there you have it – a bourbon that plays well with others, stands firm in its identity, and warrants a toast to tradition and taste. It’s no surprise that Four Roses has cemented its place on the bourbon lover’s shelf, a testament to a storied past and the quest for quality. So, here’s to Four Roses Bourbon – the spirit that sings with the heart of Kentucky, harmonizing all the best parts of the Bluegrass state into one fine libation. Cheers, y’all!

Classification: Straight Bourbon

Company: Kirin Brewery Company

Distillery: Four Roses

Release Date: Ongoing

Age: NAS (Aged at least 5 years per company website)

Mashbill: Undisclosed Blend of 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley and 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

Color: Light Rose Gold

MSRP: $20 (2022)

Official Website

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I really enjoyed this Four Roses Bourbon review – it perfectly captured the spirit of the Southern tradition with its smooth and well-balanced flavors. The article beautifully highlighted the essence of Four Roses bourbon and its place in the rich tapestry of Southern spirits.

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Written by Daniel Davis

Daniel Davis has been writing about spirits for over 10 years. He is a frequent speaker at whiskey festivals and events around the country and has been a judge at several international spirit competitions. He is passionate about educating people about the history and culture of whiskey and bourbon and loves to share his knowledge with others.

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12 Facts To Know About Four Roses Bourbon

Four Roses has become one of the most recognizable whiskey brands in North America . Its bourbon is now a staple of many grocery shelves, but it wasn't always that way. The distillery has a fascinating past with plenty of ups and downs over the years. This has led to a myriad of fascinating facts that are not only interesting but will make you appreciate your bottle of Four Roses even more. A part of the beauty of whiskey is the history that has gone into every drop, and not many distilleries have a better story than that of Four Roses.

In many ways, this distillery is a survivor. Not only did it get through the Great Depression and the World Wars, but it also managed to fight off prohibition and an owner who actively sabotaged the brand. This unique history has led to Four Roses doing things a little differently than many of its rivals, whether that's in how it produces its whiskey or how it's stored. These 12 facts will give you a wonderful insight into one of Kentucky's most special distilleries.

The name has a romantic history

The name "Four Roses" sounds romantic, but there is also a lovely tale behind it. The story starts with the distillery's founder, Paul Jones Jr., and his love interest. He fell head over heels in love with a Southern belle who had caught his eye. In a rather enchanting tale, he sent a heartfelt proposal to her. Instead of giving him a simple "yes," the woman said that if she agreed to the proposal, she'd wear a corsage of roses to an upcoming grand ball. Those with a creative imagination can most likely complete the rest of the story.

Of course, she arrived at the ball, showing off a beautiful corsage of four red roses. It inspired the name of this famous bourbon and gave it a story that would be the envy of many of its rivals. That is the legend, though the exact details of the story are debated. It's also a sad twist of fate that the proposal never resulted in a marriage. Paul Jones, Jr. passed away suddenly from Bright's disease in 1896, just seven years after naming his whiskey. So, the story of the naming of Four Roses may have romantic beginnings, but it ultimately became a tale of unrequited love.

It legally sold whiskey through prohibition

Prohibition was a brutal time for many breweries and distilleries, with many forced to shut down production or face the consequences. Others were luckier and managed to find ways around these laws. The sale of alcoholic beverages was banned to regular customers, though a select few distilleries were given a license to sell stock for medicinal purposes. As you may have guessed by now, Four Roses Distillery was one of the lucky ones with an exemption. The Volstead Act, which enforced Prohibition, included a provision that permitted doctors to prescribe medicinal whiskey. There is no doubt that as many people as possible were trying to take advantage of this legal loophole and receive their whiskey prescription.

Of course, the actual medicinal value of whiskey is dubious at best, but we doubt anyone who was able to get their hands on a bottle cared about that too much. At most, you could get a pint of whiskey every two weeks through your prescription, which was enough to keep sales at Four Roses ticking over. It allowed it to stay afloat when many other businesses went under. Not only that, but when Prohibition was finally repealed in 1933, Four Roses could quickly take advantage compared to other distilleries that had to start from scratch. It all adds to the rich history of Four Roses, as you can enjoy the same sip that many others would have savored during those barren years.

The sale of Four Roses Bourbon was halted in the United States

The ownership of Four Roses has changed hands a few times over the years. In 1943, it was purchased by the Canadian drinks company Seagram. Thankfully, most huge holding companies allow distilleries to continue making whiskey to their own preference, but this wasn't the case with Seagram. Despite Four Roses being the highest-selling Kentucky Straight Bourbon from the 1930s to the 1950s, the Canadian company removed Four Roses Bourbon from shelves. It started making a blended version of Four Roses instead that was mostly made with grain-neutral spirit. This was vastly inferior but was sold in a near-identical bottle. Consumers weren't fooled, and the sales of Four Roses soon plummeted as this non-bourbon imposter was rejected.

Why would a company intentionally sabotage its product? The answer is that Seagram had its own range of Canadian whiskeys, and the idea seemed to be that it could fill the void left behind by Four Roses. Thankfully, production of Four Roses Bourbon hadn't been stopped completely, as it was still sold to export markets. Seagram would eventually overplay its hand in business, and its attempts at rapid expansion in the entertainment business imploded. This left Four Roses in limbo as it was briefly sold to French company Vivendi before eventually finding a different home.

It was bought by the Kirin Brewery Company

It's easy to think of Four Roses as a quintessential American bourbon brand. After all, the whiskey is distilled, matured, and bottled in the great state of Kentucky. While all that may be true, the company has not been in American hands since it was sold to Seagram in 1943. After the fall of Seagram and a tumultuous few years during the turn of the century, it was eventually the Kirin Brewery Company that would come to the rescue. This Japanese company could have easily continued where Seagram had left off, but instead, it changed things for the better. Not only did it halt production of the low-quality blended whiskey, but it went the extra mile by buying back bottles from distributors to ensure that it no longer appeared on any shelves.

Once the old product was gone, Kirin reintroduced the much-missed Four Roses Bourbon back where it belonged. Kirin owns a vast array of brands across many industries, and it would have been easy for the Four Roses distillery to be forgotten about in the crowd. Instead, it has shown how a huge holding company should run its holdings. The glorious comeback of Four Roses was confirmed when it was named American Whisky Distiller of the Year three years in a row from 2011 to 2013 by Whisky Magazine.

10 bourbon recipes go into its signature Yellow Label

Many distilleries have a simple process: Pick a mash bill, have a standard yeast, and combine that to create a delicious whiskey. Four Roses does things a little differently. Using different mash bills and yeast strains, it ends up with 10 different bourbon recipes. It then blends all of these to make its signature Yellow Label. We say Yellow Label, but its core expression is just called Four Roses Bourbon these days and even sports a cream label instead. Regardless, every bottle of Four Roses comes from a delicate blend of these recipes to ensure consistency and quality with every sip.

Until recently, the exact taste of these recipes remained a mystery to all but those who worked at the distillery. However, in 2023, Four Roses announced the introduction of the Ten Recipe Tasting Experience. Here, you can enjoy 50-milliliter bottles of each recipe, but sadly, stocks are low, and the price is high. You'll only be able to find the set in the distillery's visitor centers and select retailers. But whether you get to enjoy these individual recipes or not, they are a testament to how Four Roses Bourbon doesn't follow the crowd and isn't afraid to do things a little differently.

It has a rare single-story warehouse

It makes sense for a huge distillery to have barrels over more than one floor. It's an obvious space-saving measure, but Four Roses isn't a fan of this way of doing things. Atmospheric conditions play a huge role in the maturation of whiskey, and having barrels over two levels can cause a difference in the taste of the bourbon. Distilleries such as Maker's Mark take the approach of rotating its barrels at different levels to ensure consistency. Four Roses has a unique solution as it keeps all its barrels in the same single-story warehouse . While this may not save on space, it does mean you don't have to worry about your whiskey having a different taste depending on where the barrel was stored. 

The temperature difference between the top rack of Four Roses' single-story warehouse and the bottom maxes out at 8 degrees Fahrenheit, and therefore, any changes are minimal. One thing Four Roses does similar to other distilleries is that it also uses pre-charred new American oak barrels to give the whiskey an incredible depth of flavor. These barrels are then stenciled for a few reasons, one of them being to keep track of which of the recipes was used. After at least five years of sitting in its single-story warehouse, the barrels are ready to be emptied, and the whiskey inside is ready to be enjoyed.

Four Roses use five proprietary yeast strains

Yeast plays a large role in all of Four Roses 10 recipes. In fact, it uses five strains, and each impacts the whiskey. These strains hark back to when Seagram owned the brand. For its blended whiskey, Four Roses was made from whiskey distilled at several distilleries. It had little control over the process, leading to the low-quality product that was served up for many years. It was Four Roses by name, but in reality, very little of the whiskey was from its distillery. Once Kirin Brewing Company took over the company, it had to decide how to move forward.

Instead of discarding the yeast strains used in those distilleries, Kirin kept them. The difference now, of course, is that Four Roses uses all these five yeast strains exclusively at its distillery with no outside input. As with any distillery, this yeast is used for fermentation, without which alcohol couldn't be produced. The fermentation of sugars into alcohol is not just an indispensable part of the process, but this yeast will also impart its unique flavors and aromas to the whiskey. With five strains used, Four Roses can create a distinct and high-quality spirit that would be impossible to replicate at any other distillery.

Four Roses uses two distinct mash bills

Another factor that goes into the 10 different recipes is the two mash bills . You'd be forgiven for thinking that most distilleries have several mash bills for whiskey. After all, this would allow brands to create a greater range of products with different taste profiles. In reality, we see the opposite. Most distilleries will have one mash bill that gives all its whiskies a signature taste. Some have a high rye content, while others will specialize in using wheat instead. When you add the 51% minimum corn and malted barely into the mix, it's easy for a distillery to create its own special mash. Again, Four Roses likes to do things a little differently.

Due to experimentation over the years, these two mashes are called "Mash Bill B" and "Mash Bill E." The "B" mash bill contains 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% barley. The "E" mash bill is 75% corn, 20% rye, and 5% barley. Each recipe is given a four-letter code, such as OBSV, with the mash bills (E or B) accounting for the second letter. 

The first letter, "O," designates it as from Four Roses Distillery, and the "S" stands for "Straight Distillation". The fourth letter is the yeast stain used. For example, OESV means Mash Bill E was used, as was the V yeast strain, which gives a taste of delicate fruit. Once you become a Four Roses expert, you'll come to understand your OBSK from your OBSQ.

Four Roses is committed to responsible production

Never has it been more important for companies to make products responsibly. Many distilleries are putting in extra effort to be more environmentally friendly, and Four Roses is at the forefront. The first aspect of that is using locally sourced ingredients, which not only helps the wider community but reduces its environmental impact. Four Roses is aiming to further reduce its ecological impact along with proactively complying with all environmental regulations.

The benefit to the community doesn't just stop at its environmental practices. It supports a range of community projects and supports many charities throughout Kentucky. One such community project is the Salt River Clean Up Day, which has been held in September for five years running. This event helps to improve the quality of the water, which is vital for not only the environment but also the quality of Four Roses bourbon. It's clear that the distillery knows its responsibility to the local community and those who enjoy its whiskey.

It doesn't like age statements

Age statements are a funny thing in the whiskey world. A wide range of factors affect the maturation of a whiskey. Barrels can mature at different rates, meaning age statements can paint an inaccurate picture of the whiskey inside. On the other hand, it's true that whiskey aged for longer periods generally does have more depth and complexity. Due to this, many whiskey buyers will automatically equate an aged whiskey with quality, but this isn't always the case. It's due to these reasons that a  Four Roses age statement is not something you'll see on its whiskey.

Four Roses' own Master Distiller has told Vinepair  how he prefers younger, more vibrant whiskeys, which allows the distillery to focus on taste rather than worrying about meeting an arbitrary age number. It's important to appreciate that age doesn't automatically equate to a great whiskey. Despite this, Four Roses does understand that bourbon needs to be matured for a long time before it can reach the desired quality. Its flagship Four Roses Bourbon has matured for at least five years, with its more expensive expressions being left for even longer. Despite this respectably long maturation process, Four Roses doesn't feel the need to tell the world exactly how old the whiskey is.

It has created some exceptional limited editions

While Four Roses may not like age statements, it loves a limited edition. Along with its four core expressions, it usually releases small batch whiskeys each year. This is the chance to experiment with its various recipes to create bourbons with a different taste profile than a standard release. The only issue with these small-batch offerings is they sell out quickly and aren't cheap. The 2023 version celebrated its 135 th anniversary and used just three of its 10 recipes. It led to a bourbon that beautifully combined the classic bourbon notes of oak, vanilla, and spice, along with more subtle hints of honey, berries, and pear.

Of the many Four Roses Bourbon bottles out there, its greatest limited-edition release is perhaps the 2019 version. Only 13,440 bottles were released, and they are getting increasingly rarer and more expensive. This was created using four different recipes but had all been matured for at least 11 years, with its OBSV being left in the barrel for 21 years. It led to a bourbon with incredible depth and a wide range of notes on the palate, including fruits, cocoa, nuts, and toffee. It's unlikely you'll be able to get your hands on a bottle now unless you have money to burn. In the meantime, you can patiently wait for the next limited release or simply enjoy standard expressions.

Four Roses offer guided distillery tours

The esteemed Four Roses distillery offers a fantastic, guided tour. You'll see the craftsmanship firsthand as Four Roses showcases the art of distillation. Visitors can also hear much of the rich history as they tour around the distillery in Lawrenceburg. Plus, you can also visit the Cox's Creek Warehouse and Bottling Facility, which is 50 miles away but can be seen using the same single ticket. The only stipulation is that you have 60 days to complete the touring experience.

At the main distillery, you'll see the inner workings, from the cookers to the towering cypress fermenters. The tour continues through the distillery's stills, featuring both column stills and pot still doublers. Of course, a distillery tour isn't complete without a tasting, and you'll get to savor a fine selection of its bourbons. The warehouse gives you a different look at whiskey production, including the bottling and barrel dumping/filling. It's well worth the visit to expand your whiskey knowledge and become a Four Rose aficionado. As we've seen here, Four Roses is a great distillery with a fascinating history. If you can't visit it in Kentucky, you'll have to settle for sampling its world-renowned bourbon from the comfort of your home.

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon Review

One of the most affordable single-barrel bourbons is also one of the best.

Liquor.com / Laura Sant

Four Roses single-barrel bourbon is surprisingly affordable and delicious. Despite being one of the most affordable single barrels on the market, it’s also one of the best.

Classification Kentucky straight bourbon

Company Kirin

Distillery Four Roses  

Cask new charred American white oak

Still Type column still, pot doubler

Released 2004; ongoing

Proof 100 (50% ABV)

Aged at least 7-9 years

Awards Gold, 2019 World Whiskies Awards; Tried & True Award (95 points), 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge; Gold, 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Prices for single-barrel bourbons have skyrocketed in the last decade, but Four Roses is among the best bargains in the category.

At a fairly brawny 100 proof (50% ABV), it’s still extremely drinkable neat and doesn’t require any water to open it up flavorwise.

The brand’s wide availability and low price may, paradoxically, turn off collectors and connoisseurs who are always looking for the latest “superpremium” limited edition.

It’s chill-filtered, which prevents the whiskey from getting cloudy at cold temperatures, but some say it also takes away from the flavor and mouthfeel of the final product. 

Tasting Notes

Color : Golden caramel—bourbons are forbidden by law to use artificial coloring, so the hue comes entirely from the barrel. 

Nose : It’s heavy on the rye, and also quite fruity, with plum, apricot and bright citrus predominating. 

Palate : Rich and sweet but not cloying, its big notes of caramel, with vanilla, cherry candy and hints of chocolate segue into a burst of cinnamon spice and a light oaky dryness as it hits the tonsils. 

Finish : The finish is all about the oak—dry, with a black pepper spiciness. The gorgeous aftertaste lingers, with notes of candied orange peel and toffee.

Four Roses single-barrel bourbon was launched in 2004, the year the brand was reintroduced to the U.S. Four Roses was America’s top-selling bourbon post-Prohibition but had been produced for export only for decades, becoming a huge seller in Japan in the process. Single-barrel bourbon became a thing in the ’80s and ’90s, and the category was starting to gain traction in the market by the time distiller Jim Rutledge produced Four Roses’ version. 

Four Roses is known for its arsenal of 10 recipes (five different yeast strains and two mash bills). Other expressions are blends of several recipes or even all 10. This single barrel, however, uses only one, a yeast-mash-bill combo that produces a rich, fruity, spicy and thoroughly delicious bourbon. A lot of single barrels go for extremes, whether in proof or in flavor profile. Not so here. This is a totally approachable bourbon that’s easy enough for everyday drinking but complex and rich enough for special-occasion quaffing.

Not that you need to save it for special occasions, because at a mere $45 a bottle, it’s one of the great bargains in the single-barrel category. It’s also pretty easy to find, a rarity in an age where it’s getting difficult to find a single-barrel bourbon that isn’t a limited edition. Single barrels are generally made for sipping, but when it’s this affordable, why not mix it into a Manhattan , an Old Fashioned or another spirit-forward cocktail? That said, it’s best on its own in a glass. A little water brightens the fruity notes a bit, but it’s certainly not necessary.

Whiskey aficionados may quibble about the fact that this is chill-filtered, which prevents clouding or “flocking” at cold temperatures but, some say, ultimately detracts from the flavor. Rest assured that this is still a very flavorful bourbon, though chill-filter snobs may go for Four Roses’ non-chill-filtered Small Batch Select instead. Picking up both bottles and having a head-to-head matchup might be a great way to spend an evening.

Interesting Fact

Four Roses has 10 different recipes (five yeast strains and two mash bills), each represented by a four-letter code. The standard single barrel uses only one recipe, OBSV, which has a high-rye mash bill and a delicately fruity yeast strain.

The Bottom Line

Four Roses single barrel is a terrific bourbon that’s also surprisingly affordable. Its low price and ubiquity on liquor store shelves may cause it to be overlooked or taken for granted. Don’t make that mistake.

Four Roses Bourbon

OVERALL RATING

Whiskey Review: Four Roses Bourbon

• by Carin Moonin
• December 7, 2018

Tasting Notes:

Four Roses! I love me some Four Roses. I’m not going to lie: I am going into this review with my happy, bourbon-colored glasses on. I love Four Roses for lots of reasons, not the least of which is that I was recently at an event where they had a booth here in Portland, Oregon—and they gave me a Four Roses baseball cap “just because” and they didn’t even know I review whiskies .

Promotional items aside, Four Roses has been putting out whiskies for 130 years, ever since founder Paul Jones Jr., named his bourbon after the occasion where his true love said, “yes” with a corsage of four red roses. (Who doesn’t love a good romantic story that includes brown booze at the onset?)

Four Roses is pretty much the only bourbon distillery combining five proprietary yeast strains with two separate mash bills to handcraft ten distinct bourbons. To go into this further—and I’m warning you, this is going to begin like a sample GRE exam logics question—each recipe is described by a four letter “code.” This indicates the production facility, the mashbill, the spirit type and the yeast strain.

The first and third letters remain the same: “O” for Four Roses, and “S” for straight whiskey. The second shows which one of two mash bills is used: the “E,” or low-rye, which is 20 percent rye, 75 percent corn, and 5 percent malted barley; and the “B,” which is 35 percent rye, 60 percent corn, and 5 percent malted barley. The last letter of the code reflects the yeast strain: “V” (delicate fruit), “K” (slight spice), “O” (rich fruit), “Q” (floral essence), and “F” (herbal notes). This helpful infographic from Four Roses shows the possible permutations.

All 10 recipes are used in Four Roses’ yellow label, which is what I review here. In September 2015, Brent Elliott took over as Four Roses’ Master Distiller from Jim Rutledge , and the iconic bottle hosted on most back bars across America now carries his name.

Tasting Notes: Four Roses Bourbon  

Vital stats: 80 proof; about $20; uses all 10 bourbon recipes.

Appearance: It’s yellow label—and the bourbon itself has a yellow quality to it. Like finding old newspaper clippings in an attic, especially the extra-yellowed outer corners (why does that happen?). Also: weak ginger or lemon teas.

Nose : It smells…like bourbon. I know, this is not saying a lot but I get to taste a lot of bourbon. Some smell more like bourbon than others. That doesn’t mean it’s alcohol-ey, it means it smells like good bourbon. Rich, a browned butter, and the warm pleasantness that surrounds you when you’re well into a glass sitting with someone you like while sitting by a fire. It smells, quite frankly, like comfort. (Also, apples.)

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Palate : I’ve tried a bunch of Four Roses concoctions, and they never disappoint. This one is easy-drinking and light, and yet with enough substance to do well on its own, neat, or on the rocks. It has a light syrup mouthfeel but not syrupy sweetness. It’s a little chewy. Also, apples. Again. It tastes like its smell, which is to say good bourbon, not surprising or amazing, but a solid, easy-drinking beverage. It tastes like a more expensive bottle.

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Four Roses Bourbon Review: An Expert Take on an Exceptional Whiskey

Whether you’re a bourbon enthusiast or a novice, Four Roses is a delectable whiskey fit for every occasion. Crafted from a unique blend of two mash bills and five yeast strains, it boasts 10 distinct recipes, each with its own flavor profile. Versatile in its consumption, you can relish it neat, on the rocks, in cocktails, or even incorporate it into your culinary creations.

Awards? Four Roses bourbon has racked up several – gold medals at the American Whiskey Masters , San Francisco World Spirits Competition , New York International Spirits Competition , Ascot Awards , and many more.

There’s a lot to unpack here — from the intriguing origins of the brand to the meticulous artistry behind each bottle. So, allow us to guide you through the labyrinth of flavors that Four Roses offers. Let’s take a swig of its history, savor the tasting notes, and discover why this bourbon is a melody for your palate and a legend in its own right.

A Quick Look at Four Roses Bourbon

Welcome to the express lane of our Four Roses bourbon tour! Here’s a quick snapshot to get you revved up before we delve into the nitty-gritty:

Pros And Cons of Four Roses Bourbon

Four Roses bourbon is among the most popular Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys, with its fair share of fans and critics. Here’s a table that summarizes its pros and cons:

What Is Four Roses Bourbon?

Four Roses is more than bourbon. It’s a love story aged to perfection, like a well-matured Kentucky straight. Its history dates back to 1888, when Paul Jones Jr. founded the brand. He named it after the corsage of four roses his love interest wore when she accepted his marriage proposal.

This whiskey weathered storms – Prohibition, World War II, ownership changes – and emerged as a global sensation, especially in Europe and Asia, with a cult following in Japan. It was reintroduced to the US market in 2002 after being discontinued for several decades.

The secret to Four Roses’ allure is its complex recipe featuring 10 distinct bourbon formulas , each with its own mash bill and yeast strain. As a result, we get to taste a symphony of flavors — caramel, vanilla, and whispers of oak, honey, and citrus. It’s got this perfect balance of amber hues and lingering essence that deliver unparalleled warmth and sweetness.

Neat, on the rocks, or in a creative concoction — this Hall of Fame bourbon is a classic and versatile spirit that’s sure to please, sip after sip.

Is Four Roses Bourbon Real Liquor?

Absolutely; Four Roses bourbon is as genuine as its rich history. Since 1888, it has navigated through time, emerging resilient against various challenges. Meeting all the criteria for an authentic Kentucky straight bourbon, Four Roses stands proudly in the whiskey family, leaving no room for skepticism.

What Does Four Roses Bourbon Taste Like?

Four Roses bourbon is a complex and flavorful whiskey with much to offer. As you approach a glass of Four Roses, the aroma unfolds with a delicate mix of floral essences, spice, and a whisper of honey.

Dive into the sip, and you’ll find the honey taking the spotlight, weaving a velvety sweetness into the experience. The finish? It’s a smooth, prolonged affair that leaves a pleasant impression.

What Is the Alcohol Content in Four Roses Bourbon?

Here’s a quick overview of the alcohol content of Four Roses based on its four primary expressions:

• Four Roses Bourbon : 80 proof, or 40% alcohol by volume (ABV).
• Four Roses Small Batch : 90 proof, or 45% alcohol by volume (ABV).
• Four Roses Single Barrel : 100 proof, or 50% alcohol by volume (ABV).
• Four Roses Small Batch Select : 104 proof, or 52% alcohol by volume (ABV).

These are the regular bottlings of Four Roses bourbon sold in the US, Europe, and Japan. Keep in mind that limited editions may have different proofs and ABVs.

Is Four Roses Bourbon Good?

In the world of bourbon, Four Roses is among the top-tier choices. It delivers rich flavor, versatility, and quality, all at an affordable price. Whether you’re a seasoned sipper or a whiskey newcomer, it’s a fair pick, especially if you prefer a smoother taste and less alcohol content.

Is Four Roses Bourbon the Best Liquor?

Declaring a single liquor as the “absolute best” is a near-impossible feat. Four Roses bourbon is undoubtedly a commendable choice, but it’s not the lone star in the whiskey galaxy. It brings its unique charm to the table, appealing to diverse tastes and occasions.

Yet, like any whiskey, it has its nuances. The sweeter notes might be intense for some, and expressions like the Single Barrel and the Small Batch Select can be pricier and less accessible.

How Is Four Roses Bourbon Packaged?

Four Roses exudes classic elegance, packaged in a distinctive glass bottle with a round base, long neck, and a touch of a curve. The bottle features an engraved rose cluster on the cork — a nod to its rich history — topped with a wooden cap and cork finish. The label, with a bright, gilded border, contrasts beautifully with the deep bourbon hue.

How Should You Drink Four Roses Bourbon?

There are various ways to enjoy this exquisite spirit. It’s best enjoyed neat, preferably at room temperature. For a refreshing twist, add a couple of ice cubes to your glass — perfect for warm evenings or when you’re in the mood for a more relaxed sip.

Four Roses Bourbon plays exceptionally well in both classic and modern cocktails, such as the old-fashioned, mint julep, and whiskey sour, to name a few. In fact, the distillery has shared several cocktail recipes for you to try out. You can pair it with food and use it for baking and cooking.

How Much Does Four Roses Bourbon Cost?

The price of Four Roses bourbon depends on the type, availability of the bottle, the retailer or the bar, and their location. In general, the cost range for a 750ml bottle is as follows:

• Four Roses Bourbon : $20 to $30
• Four Roses Small Batch : $30 to $35
• Four Roses Single Barrel : $35 to $40
• Four Roses Small Batch Select : $40 to $60

If you intend to try it out in a bar or restaurant, expect to pay around $10 to $15 per serving. Also, remember that limited-edition and seasonal expressions of Four Roses can be more expensive.

Where Can You Buy Four Roses Bourbon?

Finding Four Roses bourbon is a breeze — your local liquor store will likely have it in stock. Many bars and restaurants also feature it on their menus as a neat pour or as a cocktail ingredient. Finally, if convenience is your game, you can even find it with trusted online retailers that provide doorstep delivery options.

Is Four Roses Bourbon a Good Gift?

Four Roses bourbon is an outstanding gift choice. Its high-quality craftsmanship, versatile flavor profile, and elegant packaging make it a thoughtful and appreciated present for any occasion. It’s available at various prices, making it a good gift for people with different budgets.

What Are Some Alternatives to Four Roses Bourbon?

If you’re exploring alternatives to Four Roses bourbon, the world of whiskey offers diverse options. Here are a few worth considering:

• Pinhook High Proof Bourbon : It’s an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more intense bourbon experience. With a higher proof, it offers a powerful palate with rich caramel, vanilla, and spice notes.
• Eureka Gold Straight Bourbon : This is a small-batch bourbon made with a blend of straight bourbons that are aged for at least 4 years. It’s known for its smooth flavor and long finish.
• Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon : Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this bourbon has a rich and smooth profile with notes of oak, citrus, vanilla, caramel, banana chips, and dried hay. It tastes great on its own and can work wonders for cocktails.

Whether you’re drawn to bold and intense or prefer a more balanced and nuanced sip, there’s a bourbon to quench your thirst. All you need to do is explore.  If you find that you like Four Roses but want something a bit smoother, we highly recommend Mitcher's Bourbon .

Four Roses Is an Endless “Bouquet” of Bourbon

Four Roses stands tall as the show’s star as we twirl through the intoxicating ballroom of bourbons. Its narrative, woven with a love story and aged to perfection, is a captivating tale that unfolds with each nip.

Cheers to its irresistible taste – sparking conversations and creating moments of pure enjoyment that only Four Roses can deliver!

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Four Roses Price Guide

The Name “Four Roses”

As legend has it, Paul Jones, Jr., the founder of Four Roses Bourbon, fell in love with a beautiful Southern belle and sent her a proposal. She stated that if her answer were “yes” she would wear a corsage of roses to the grand ball. Upon her arrival her gown was adorned with a beautiful corsage of four red roses. Thus the name “Four Roses” was paying homage to the lovely belle.

History of Four Roses Bourbon

Paul Jones Jr. began making whiskey in the 1860’s and moved his flourishing business to “Whiskey Row,” a section of Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1884. In 1922, the Paul Jones Company would purchase the Frankfort Distilling Company which would then be purchased by Seagram 21 years later. Even though at the time, Four Roses was one of the most popular brands of whiskey, Seagram stopped selling Four Roses in the United States and focused on European and Asian markets where sales were rapidly growing.  

In 1966, Jim Rutledge joined the company and set out on his mission of returning Four Roses to the US. Jim became one of the world’s most notable Master Distillers and in February 2002 the Kirin Brewery Company, Ltd. purchased the Four Roses Bourbon brand and its production facilities reopening sales across the States. In 2005 Brent Elliott began working and studying under Rutledge. After 10 years it was time for Jim to retire and Brent to hold the title he still has today of Four Roses Master Distiller.  

Four Roses Products

Four Roses Distillery produces three labels that are always available. They include their base or entry level bourbon which is sometimes referred to as “Yellow Label,” a small batch bourbon, and a single barrel bourbon. In select stores and states you can find their Small Batch Select and in an even more niche market you might find some of their Limited Edition Bourbons.  

What Makes Four Roses Stand Out?

According to their website, and unique to their distillery, Four Roses combines two mash bills with five proprietary yeast strains to create ten different bourbon recipes. Then they mix and match allowing them to reach endless flavors to please many diverse palates. Let’s take a closer look at each of these beautiful brown libations.  

Tasting Notes

Four roses bourbon.

A versatile yet sophisticated smooth, mellow bourbon with a long, soft finish. It is the most popular bourbon in Four Rose’ line up and is great for cocktails. When we tasted it, we got hints of apple and rich browned butter. On the palate, it is easy drinking with notes of vanilla, toasted oak and a touch of pineapple. You’d be hard pressed to find a better bourbon for the price! Widely available and very popular, you’ll see it on the shelves in most bars and liquor stores.  

Four Roses Small Batch

This bourbon is a blend of four original bourbon recipes hand picked by their Master Distiller. It is rich amber in color and there are notes of baking spices and ripe, red raspberries and caramel on the nose. Light oak, vanilla, apricot and berries present themselves on the pleasant, lingering palate. You can find this bottle in many sophisticated watering holes and spirit shops.  

Four Roses Single Barrel

With a high rye mash bill and 50% ABV, this premium, complex, savory, single barrel bourbon is surprisingly smooth. On the nose there is a delicate dried spice note followed by pear, maple syrup, vanilla and a touch of cocoa. The palate displays hints of ripe dark fruit with a rich and full body.  

Four Roses Small Batch Select

To make this label, Master Distiller Brent Elliott selects and blends six bourbon recipes, each of which are aged six years. The select is non-chill filtered and the newest product in the permanent lineup. On the nose, you’ll find raspberries, clove and nutmeg followed by berries, oak and vanilla on the palate. The finish has a touch of spice and spearmint. Currently available in 30 states, be sure to check with your local watering holes to see if they have it in stock.  

Limited Editions  

Occasionally the Master Distiller will hand select a few remarkable barrels for these special releases. They are all barrel strength and non-chill filtered letting their true characteristics shine.   These are, as the name suggests, these bottles are sparse and so you might have to special order them or befriend your bartender to get the inside scoop on their release dates.  

Here’s a run down of the limited editions listed on Four Rose’ website:  

2016 elliott’s select.

The tasting notes of this beauty are delicate and elegant. There are subtle aromas of peach jam, magnolia blossoms and light oak followed by fresh fruit, vanilla and baking spice on the tongue. The finish is long and pleasant with honey and apricot.

2016 Small Batch

Opening with aromas of sweet cherry, green apple and apricot this sultry, rich, full bodied bourbon displays tart citrus flavors followed by molasses and pepper.  

2017 Al Young 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch

Sweet caramel and honeysuckle on the nose give way to flavors of peach, apricot, fig and oak.  

2017 Limited Edition Small Batch  

Warm aromas of allspice, vanilla bean and stewed fruit are followed by bright raspberry, maraschino cherry and light oak on the palate. The finish is clean but long with notes of brown sugar and cinnamon.

2018 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch

The nose gives warm aromas of vanilla and raspberry crème brûlée with bright apricot, cinnamon, apple, oak and a touch of mint on the palate. The finish is exquisite with notes of cinnamon, fruit and vanilla.  

2019 Limited Edition Small Batch

The first bourbon “old enough to drink itself” is 21 years old, and is bottled at 112.6 proof. Aromas of oak, honey, red raspberry and vanilla are followed by baking spice, sweet fruit and oak on the palate. There is a lingering rich and delicate finish.

2020 Limited Edition Small Batch

This non-chill filtered bourbon is bottled at 111.4 proof and is a blend of four recipes ranging in age from 12 to 19 years. The nose displays notes of orange peel, vanilla and honey with apricot, pear and red berry flavors. The finish starts with a strong rye spice and ends with bright fruit.

2021 Limited Edition Small Batch  

A blend of four recipes ranging from 12 to 16 years old, this bourbon is bottled at 114.2 proof. Floral aromas followed by ripe berries give way to flavors of plum, orange and spice. The long smooth finish exhibits vanilla cream and dark chocolate.

Cocktail Recipes

We know we we're excited to start mixing with this brand and hope you are too! Here’s a few recipes to help inspire you!

Attitude is Everything

• 2oz Four Roses Small Batch
• 1oz blueberry thyme syrup
• .75 oz lemon juice

Directions:  Combine all ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake and pour into glass. Garnish with fresh blueberries and sprig of thyme.

Blueberry Thyme Syrup Recipe:

1 pint blueberries, equal parts water and sugar (1 cup each), a handful of fresh thyme

Directions:  Combine blueberries, sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Gently press or mash the blueberries. Let the mixture simmer for 15 min. Remove from heat and add in the thyme. Let sit for 15 more minutes. Strain the mixture and cool. 

The Belle of the Ball

• 2 oz Four Roses Small Batch
• .75 oz fresh lemon juice
• .5 oz grenadine
• 1 egg white
• 2 drops rose water
• 3 dashes chocolate bitters

Directions:  Combine all ingredients in shaker except bitters and dry shake. Add ice and shake again. Double strain into a coupe and garnish with bitters.

Dazed and Confused 

• 2 oz Four Roses Bourbon
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• .5 oz lemon juice
• .5 oz lime juice
• .5 oz agave 
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Directions:  Combine all ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake and strain into glass. Optional: Garnish with cinnamon and shiso leaf.

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Four Roses 2022 Limited Edition Small Batch

In-depth review.

Classification : Straight Bourbon

Company: Kirin Brewery Company

Distillery : Four Roses

Release Date: September 17th, 2022

Proof : 109

Age : Blend of 14 year, two 15 year, and 20 year straight bourbons

Mashbill : Blend of four bourbons with two mashbills:

OESK, OESF, OESV - 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

OBSV - 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley

Color : Dark Amber

MSRP : $180 (2022)

Official Website

The 2022 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch consists of a blend of double digit aged bourbons. Four Roses uses 2 different mashbills and 5 different yeast strains to create 10 unique bourbon recipes. Of those recipes, four were blended together to make the 2022 Limited Edition Small Batch,  including a 14 year-old OESF recipe, a 14 year-old OESV, a 15 year-old OESK, and a 20 year-old OBSV. By comparison Four Roses Small Batch uses 4 of the 10 recipes - OBSO, OBSK, OESO and OESK. Four Roses Bourbon uses up to all 10 recipes.This year’s edition is a 14,100 bottle release.

An expressive array of sweet fruit scents with ample potency to spare kick things off. Strawberry and red raspberry lead with layers of brown sugar and maple in tow. A strong undercurrent of oak is weaved throughout and the combined scents produce a highly effective aroma. Nose-tingling intensity combined with its layers of sweet scents results in one of the best aromas of the year for a bourbon release so far.

Dark raspberry and seasoned oak strike first. A thrust of allspice enters dominating the mid-palate. Additional notes of vanilla extract and a touch of cinnamon develop adding to the palate's depth and overall spice-filled flavor profile. Ample complexity, tempered sweetness, and good intensity work in tandem. The palate is nicely nuanced, though it lacks a certain amount of flashiness and hints of its problematic finish is foreshadowed.

The sip ends by being dominated by a mustiness that is polarizing and perhaps too detrimental for the whiskey’s own good. Tannic oak and clove combined with a good amount of dryness further takes the finish down a dangerous path. Fleeting notes of dark raspberry and strawberry notes linger which help add some dimension, but are otherwise too dim to have a major impact. It’s a disappointing ending to an otherwise great sip.

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch releases have come to define what it means to be a balanced, refined, and expertly blended bourbon. Though the blends aren’t without their faults. Often forgoing a wow factor for subtle refinement, the whiskeys don’t always conjure an immediate love affair for those that drink them. Like with any good relationship, you develop a better understanding of something the more time you spend with it. That is once again the case with 2022’s Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch. At first sip, this year’s finish is polarizing to say the least. It reminds me of 2020s Sazerac 18 Year that had a similar musty finish, that can often put the drinker in a love-it-or-hate-it position - and that’s not a pleasant position to find yourself after landing a hard-to-find whiskey. Four Roses’ bourbons are not known for their mustiness and I can’t remember if I’ve ever experienced it with one of their releases. Due to increased demand, the medium age of whiskey is younger than it has ever been. The result is far less whiskey featuring a musty flavor component. With this year’s edition featuring whiskey that are 14, 15, and 20 years old, it wears its age on its sleeve. Previous Limited Edition Small Batches have featured their bourbon around a similar age range, but never have they tasted this old. As a result, this year’s Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch stands out from previous editions, and even from any other bourbon on the market in 2022 due to its overall maturity and mustiness.

Sticking to their $180 price point that the company set in 2021 (up from $150 in 2020), Four Roses continues to align with the established price range for Kentucky limited edition bourbons, which was led by Wild Turkey . With the blend including such high aged bourbon (though no percentage is given), the price is a considerable value when compared to the flood of 14 and 15 year bourbons that have hit the market over the past 2 years, with their prices often well north of $200. Though many of those bourbons will likely appeal to a far greater range of bourbon drinkers as they are more approachable, they lack the complexity, finesse, and of course the mustiness of Four Roses 2022 Limited Edition Small Batch. No matter what though, $180 is always going to be a lot of money to spend on any bourbon, but as prices rise, higher prices seem less shocking as they once were. High prices are becoming normalized and customers are slowly becoming desensitized to them. Given the amount of non-Kentucky distilleries and non-distiller producers now charging north of $200, getting a high aged, fine-tuned blend from one of Kentucky's major distilleries for under $200 isn’t that bad when looked at in that light. For such a unique tasting whiskey and the complexity it offers, combined with its impressive age range, its $180 price point is hard to complain about given the current market.

A finely crafted blended bourbon that shows its age like few do, which will result in a decidedly divisive yet complex pour.

This year’s Four Roses 2022 Limited Edition Small Batch isn’t going to hit like previous editions have. Where the brand at times struggled to really wow you at first sip, it's hard to deny their overall effectiveness and refinement the more time you spend with them. This year’s Limited Edition Small Batch is a unique one. At first pour, it can be an eye opener, not because of a sky-high proof like many bourbons nowadays, but because of the bourbon’s overall age and its effect on its flavor profile. There are many new bourbon drinkers that haven't had the experience with old tasting bourbon. This year’s edition may challenge them in new and unfamiliar ways and I can see many struggling with it while others may revel in its particular style. It comes packed with complexity and finesse, but its finish will be divisive and no doubt dominate the conversation around this year’s release.

Written By: Eric Hasman

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Pasadena Tournament of Roses Opens Its Doors For Free Public House Tours Beginning May 2

PASADENA, Calif. (April 25, 2024) – Beginning Thursday, May 2, 2024, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses® Association will open its doors to the public for guided tours at no cost. Get ready to discover hidden treasures and enjoy fascinating facts about the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and Tournament House. You will learn about the house’s history, hear more about the traditions of the Rose Parade® and Rose Bowl Game® and experience this iconic landmark’s vibrant history firsthand.

Reservations must be made in advance and can be accessed through the Tournament of Roses website. Booking for Tournament House tours will begin a month prior to the scheduled dates, with 70 slots available for each tour. Led by volunteer docents, the one-and-a-half to two-hour tours are offered every Thursday at 2 p.m. through August 29, 2024.

Throughout the year, Tournament House is bustling with activity, serving as the epicenter for the Rose Parade® and Rose Bowl Game®. From the announcements of the Grand Marshal and Rose Queen to community events, it’s a hub of excitement and tradition. Beyond the iconic New Year’s Day festivities, the venue hosts planning meetings, receptions, and cultural events, fostering a sense of community.

Tournament House was previously owned by William Wrigley Jr., the visionary behind Wrigley chewing gum, and his wife Ada. When Ada passed away in 1958, the Wrigley family generously gave their home to Pasadena on the condition that it become the permanent location for the Tournament of Roses. Since then, this iconic house has been the heart of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game®. It’s a slice of history you won’t want to miss!

What is the Tournament of Roses without our beautiful roses? Surrounding Tournament House is the Wrigley Gardens, which offer a serene escape with vibrant roses and lush greenery, creating a breathtaking landscape. The house, the grounds and the gardens are beautifully maintained and well worth the visit. You are invited to picnic on the grounds before or after the house tour.

Reservations are required for the complimentary tours. Reservation link and answers to frequently asked questions are available here.

Guests are asked to arrive ten minutes prior to the start time. For groups of 20 or more, please call 626-449-4100 or email [email protected].

How much are Kentucky Derby tickets? See 2024 Kentucky Derby prices compared to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.

The 2024 Kentucky Derby is fast approaching and around 150,000 people are expected to be at Churchill Downs for the most exciting two minutes in sports.

The annual event tends to have a significant impact on Louisville's economy, bringing in large amounts of tourists and generating over $400 million in economic impact in 2023, as previously reported by The Courier Journal. With 2024 marking the 150th "Run for the Roses," this year's impact could be even greater.

But how much does it actually cost to attend the Kentucky Derby? Is it an affordable event for the average person? How does it compare to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour? Here's what we know:

Kentucky Derby 2024: When is the Kentucky Derby? Everything to know ahead of the Run for the Roses in 2024

How much are Kentucky Derby tickets 2024?

According to Ticket Smarter, ticket prices for the 2024 Kentucky Derby on May 4 range from $110 to upwards of $11,000 depending on the seat location, type of admission and other factors. The average ticket cost for a single race day from April 27 through Derby is nearly $730, tripling prices from 2014.

Can the average person afford the Kentucky Derby?

According to Forbes, a single-person, three-night vacation in 2023 cost around $1,390 for flights, lodging, car rentals and meals. In 2022, the average hotel cost in Louisville per night around Derby was over $670, meaning a three-night stay would cost over $2,000 on lodging alone. Not to mention, tickets for the race track, meals, transportation and other needs.

Impact of Kentucky Derby on Louisville's economy

In 2023, Churchill Downs contributed more than $4.3 million in tax revenue to the state on Derby day alone, and roughly $1.1 million in tax revenue from Oaks Day, according to The Courier Journal.

How much are Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets?

According to U.S. News & World Report, the average resale ticket for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour was $1,619 at the time of publication in August of 2023.

'The Tortured Poets Department': Taylor Swift lyric draws backlash for reference to the 1830s. Here's what people are saying

Kentucky Derby tickets compared to Taylor Swift concert tickets

Based on information from the U.S. News & World Report and Ticket Smarter, tickets to Swift's Eras Tour is more than double the cost of 2024 Kentucky Derby tickets.

Taylor Swift Eras Tour economic impact

According to the U.S. Travel Association, the total economic impact of Swift's Eras Tour will likely exceed $10 billion.

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Lowering the cost of childcare for our families.

On my 36 County Tour, I have met with families, small business owners, and childcare providers who are rightfully concerned about the skyrocketing cost of childcare. As a father of four, I agree that we need real solutions to lower costs for our families, especially as inflation eats away at paychecks and gas prices are on the rise.

While my children have grown up, I remember the days when my wife and I had to balance our jobs with raising our four kids, and ultimately, sending them to daycare. To be blunt, it wasn’t easy, and to this day, too many parents are still struggling to find affordable childcare options that fit into their schedules and allow them to pursue full-time careers.

Like I do after all my stops on my 36 County Tour, I took my candid conversations with families, businesses, and childcare professionals back to Congress and led legislation to address the childcare affordability crisis. My two-pronged approach focuses on helping businesses supplement the cost of childcare for their workers and ensuring that families can keep more money in their pockets to dedicate to the care of their kids.

Alongside my colleague from Nebraska, Rep. Adrian Smith, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee with me, I introduced the Small Business Dependent Care FSA Opportunity Act. This legislation would create a new tax credit for small businesses with up to 100 employees for the start-up costs of offering Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DCFSA) as an employee benefit. A DCFSA is a pre-tax savings account that can be used to pay for summer camps, before- and after-school programs, and other forms of daycare. In this case, employees would be able to park up to $5,000 per year in an employer-offered account to dilute the increasing cost of childcare.

The need for this reform is profound. According to the 2023 Bureau of Labor Statistics Employee Benefits Survey, only 27% of people employed by a small business with fewer than 100 employees have access to a DCFSA, while 61% of employees at larger businesses have access. This imbalance unfairly punishes small businesses – which employ the vast majority of Americans – and prevents them from retaining workers. By making it easier for small businesses to help their employees cover the cost of childcare, we can keep our main streets strong, lower costs for families, and help parents balance their careers with raising their families.

In conjunction with this bill, I also introduced the Combatting High Inflation Limiting Daycare (CHILD) Act to double the amount of money that families are allowed to save tax-free in DCFSAs to pay for childcare. This approach lets parents – not federal bureaucrats – decide how best to spend their hard-earned money when it comes to caring for their children. In light of recent economic indicators, the contribution limit would also be adjusted for inflation to keep up with rising prices.

Since 1986, the maximum contribution limit of $5,000 per household has not changed. It doesn’t make any sense. That’s why my bill would double the limit from $5,000 to $10,000 for joint filers and from $2,500 to $5,000 for independent filers. When we let families keep more of their hard-earned money and allow parents to make the best decisions for their children, we achieve better outcomes. This legislation puts parents in the driver’s seat and incentivizes smart investments in childcare.

A strong workforce and a resilient economy depend on affordable and accessible childcare options. By allowing our businesses to help their employees cover childcare expenses and giving parents more financial flexibility when it comes to putting their kids in daycare, we can keep our families rooted in rural Iowa and support economic growth up and down our main streets. I will continue to advocate for policies that help our families thrive, and work to get these two bills across the finish line and signed into law.

——

Randy Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, represents Iowa’s Fourth District in the U.S. House.

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Final Tony Awards Predictions 2024: Eddie Redmayne, Sarah Paulson, Leslie Odom Jr and Daniel Radcliffe Among Likely Nominees

Variety ‘s   Awards Circuit is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year. It features the official predictions for the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, and Tony Awards, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.

Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:

OSCARS | EMMYS | GRAMMYS | TONYS

2024 Tony Awards Predictions: All Categories

Weekly Commentary (Updated April 28, 2024) : This year’s Tony nominations are anticipated to highlight the musical revival Cabaret and the new hit Hell’s Kitchen as frontrunners. With 60 nominators participating, they’ll retreat to evaluate which shows deserve to be recognized as the season’s best theatrical productions.

In the realm of plays, David Adjmi’s “Stereophonic” is expected to lead the pack, supported by strong contenders such as the revivals of “Appropriate” and “Purlie Victorious.” These productions have resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike, making them significant contenders in their respective categories.

Big stars are in the running for nominations, including Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne (“Cabaret”), Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr (“Purlie Victorious”), Emmy winner Sarah Paulson (“Appropriate”), and superstar Daniel Radcliffe (“Merrily We Roll Along”). All are likely to hear their names called when noms are announced.

The 77th Tony Awards promise an exciting ceremony hosted by the talented and charismatic Ariana DeBose, an Oscar-winning actress known for her dynamic performances. The event will be broadcast on CBS from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on Sunday, June 16. The nominations themselves, celebrating the achievements of the 2023-24 Broadway season, will be announced by previous Tony Award winners Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Renée Elise Goldsberry. The ceremony is a collaborative effort produced by Tony Award Productions—a partnership between The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing—and White Cherry Entertainment, with Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss serving as executive producers. Weiss will also direct the event, ensuring a night filled with glamour, accolades, and unforgettable performances.

Read : All Primetime Emmy predictions in every category on Variety’s  Awards Circuit .

Best Musical

• “Hell’s Kitchen”
• “Days of Wine and Roses”
• “The Outsiders”
• “Illinoise”

The highest-stakes race at the Tony Awards this year and every year is the competition for Best Musical, widely recognized as the only theater trophy to significantly move the needle at the box office. With 15 new musicals vying for a nomination this year, that race is also one of the hardest to call. Shaina Taub’s much-admired “Suffs” and Alicia Keys’ well-liked “Hell’s Kitchen” are the two that would seem to have their nominations locked in; nominators also seem likely to recognize the ambitious “Days of Wine and Roses” and the elegantly conceived adaptation of “The Outsiders.”

Given the number of eligible shows, there will be at least five nominees in this category (and possibly six) — which contributes to the feeling that anything could happen, but the big swings taken by the love-it-or-hate-it “Lempicka” seem likely to score a nom, as does the genre-defying dance-ical “Illinoise.” Even so, there are plenty of wild cards in the mix that also have a shot at recognition, including “Water for Elephants,” “The Notebook,” and “Here Lies Love.”

Other contenders: “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Harmony,” “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” “How to Dance in Ohio,” “Here Lies Love,” “Once Upon a One More Time,” “The Notebook” and “Water for Elephants

• “Stereophonic”
• “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”
• “Prayer for the French Republic”
• “Mary Jane”
• “Mother Play”

Critics and audiences alike are wild about David Adjmi’s “Stereophonic,” so look for that one on the list for best play, alongside two favorites from the fall, Jocelyn Bioh’s “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” and Joshua Harmon’s “Prayer for the French Republic.” Filling out the two remaining spots in a five-horse race, bet on two recent openers with starry casts, Amy Herzog’s “Mary Jane” and Paula Vogel’s “Mother Play.”

Other contenders: “The Cottage,” “Grey House,” “I Need That,” “Patriots” and “The Shark is Broken,”

Best Revival of a Musical

• “Merrily We Roll Along”
• “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”
• “Gutenberg!”

With a relatively focused slate of six eligible contenders, the competition for Best Revival of the Musical will be led by the widely beloved “Merrily We Roll Along,” destined to be the frontrunner for the trophy; the more divisive “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” will also land a nom for its bold choices. In the remaining two spots of a four-show category, look for the well-liked “Gutenberg!” and “The Wiz,” with “Tommy” as a wild card.

Other contenders: “Monty Python’s Spamalot” and “The Who’s Tommy”

Best Revival of a Play

• “Appropriate”
• “Purlie Victorious”
• “An Enemy of the People”
• “Uncle Vanya”

The decision to classify the buzzy play “Appropriate” as a revival makes this competition a tough one. “Appropriate” will find itself in the race with the much-lauded fall revival “Purlie Victorious”; those two feel like the frontrunners here. In a category that has three or four shows in it, “An Enemy of the People” seems poised to get a nod, but starry stagings of “Uncle Vanya” and “Doubt” could well surprise.

Other contenders: “Doubt”

Actor in a Leading Role (Musical)

• Jonathan Groff, “Merrily We Roll Along”
• Brian D’Arcy James, “Days of Wine and Roses”
• Eddie Redmayne, “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”)
• Chip Zien, “Harmony”
• Ali Louis Bourzgui, “Tommy”

The field is bigger for best actor in a musical, but Jonathan Groff (“Merrily We Roll Along”) looks like a lock, as does Brian D’Arcy James (“Days of Wine and Roses”). The performance that Eddie Redmayne is giving in “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”) isn’t universally beloved, but don’t be surprised if a nod also goes to him. Outside of that, the strongest contenders look to be a beloved Broadway veteran Chip Zien (“Harmony”), and newcomer Ali Louis Bourzgui (“Tommy”) — but don’t count out fan fave Jeremy Jordan (“The Great Gatsby”) or Andrew Rannells (“Gutenberg!”)

Other contenders: Corey Cott (“The Heart of Rock and Roll”); Josh Gad (“Gutenberg! The Musical!”); Brody Grant (“The Outsiders”); Justin Guarini (“Once Upon a One More Time”); Grant Gustin (“Water for Elephant”); Dorian Harewood (“The Notebook”); James Monroe Iglehart (“Monty Python’s Spamalot”); Jeremy Jordan (“The Great Gatsby”); Taran Killam (“Monty Python’s Spamalot”); Casey Likes (“Back to the Future: The Musical”); Andrew Rannells (“Gutenberg! The Musical!”)

Actor in a Leading Role (Play)

• Leslie Odom Jr., “Purlie Victorious”
• Jeremy Strong, “An Enemy of the People”
• Steve Carell, “Uncle Vanya”
• Liev Schreiber, “Doubt”
• Michael Stuhlbarg, “Patriots”

Among plays, the field for best actor is a fairly narrow one. Leslie Odom Jr. is a sure thing for “Purlie Victorious,” as is Jeremy Strong for “An Enemy of the People.” Joining them is likely Steve Carell for “Uncle Vanya” and Liev Schreiber for “Doubt.” The wild cards: William Jackson Harper gave a standout performance in “Vanya” and Michael Stuhlbarg in “Patriots.”

Other contenders: Danny DeVito (“I Need That”); William Jackson Harper (“Uncle Vanya”); Eric McCormack (“The Cottage”); Paul Sparks (“Grey House”)

Actress in a Leading Role (Musical)

• Kelli O’Hara, “Days of Wine and Roses”
• Maleah Joi Moon, “Hell’s Kitchen”
• Shaina Taub, “Suffs”
• Eden Espinosa, “Lempicka”
• Gayle Rankin, “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”

For lead actress in a musical, Kelli O’Hara is a near-certainty for her characteristically accomplished performance in “Days of Wine and Roses,” and “Hell’s Kitchen” breakout Maleah Joi Moon seems likely to join her in the category. “Suffs” creator-star Shaina Taub and “Lempicka” headliner Eden Espinosa have also turned heads, with Maryann Plunkett’s affecting turn in “The Notebook” and Gayle Rankin’s bold, polarizing performance in “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” vying for a spot as well.

Other contenders: Briga Heelan (“Once Upon a One More Time”); Arielle Jacobs (“Here Lives Love”); McKenzie Kurtz (“The Heart of Rock and Roll”); Nichelle Lewis (“The Wiz”); Isabelle McCalla (“Water for Elephants”); Eva Nobiezada (“The Great Gatsby”); Maryann Plunkett (“The Notebook”)

Actress in a Leading Role (Play)

• Sarah Paulson, “Appropriate”
• Rachel McAdams, “Mary Jane”
• Jessica Lange, “Mother Play”
• Betsy Aidem, “Prayer for the French Republic”

The lead actress in a play competition is going to be starry: Sarah Paulson (“Appropriate”), Rachel McAdams (“Mary Jane”) and Jessica Lange (“Mother Play”) are all giving critically praised performances, and all three look poised to nab nominations. Rounding out the category could well be Betsy Aidem for her performance in fall fave “Prayer for the French Republic,” although Amy Ryan (“Doubt”) or Anika Noni Rose (“Uncle Vanya”) have also attracted notice.

Other contenders: Laura Bell Bundy (“The Cottage”); Tatiana Maslany (“Grey House”); Laurie Metcalf (“Grey House”); Amy Ryan (“Doubt”)

Actor in a Featured Role (Musical)

• Daniel Radcliffe, “Merrily We Roll Along”
• Steven Skybell, “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”
• Conrad Ricamora, “Here Lies Love”
• Brandon Victor Dixon, “Hell’s Kitchen”
• Paul Alexander Nolan, “Water for Elephants”

In the running for featured actor in a musical, you’re certain to see Daniel Radcliffe for “Merrily We Roll Along” and for Steven Skybell from “Cabaret,” both turning in widely admired performances. There’s also Conrad Ricamora, still lingering in people’s memories for his performance in the now-closed “Here Lies Love.” Beyond that, look out for Brandon Victor Dixon in “Hell’s Kitchen,” Paul Alexander Nolan in “Water for Elephants,” or maybe Joshua Boone or one of the other standouts from the male-dominated cast of “The Outsiders.”

Other contenders: George Abud (“Lempicka”); John Ambrosino (“The Who’s Tommy”); Roger Bart (“Back to the Future: The Musical”); Sean Bell (“Harmony”); Ato Blankson-Wood (“Cabaret”); Wayne Brady (“The Wiz”); Joshua Boone (“The Outsiders”); John Cardoza (“The Notebook”); Hugh Coles (“Back to the Future: The Musical”); Brent Comer (“The Outsiders”); Bobby Conte (“The Who’s Tommy”); Ben Cook (“Illinoise”); John Dossett (“The Heart of Rock and Roll”); Gregg Edelman (“Water for Elephants”); Christopher Fitzgerald (“Monty Python’s Spamalot”); Kyle Ramar Freeman (“The Wiz”); Sky Lakota-Lynch (“The Outsiders”); Jose Llana (“Here Lies Love”); Danny Kornfield (“Harmony”); Brandt Martinez (“Illinoise”); Liam Pearce (“How to Dance in Ohio”); Phillip Johnson Richardson (“The Wiz”); Noah J. Ricketts (“The Great Gatsby”); Reg Rogers (“Merrily We Roll Along”); Blake Roman (“Harmony”); Caesar Samayoa (“How to Dance in Ohio”); Andrew Samonsky (“Lempicka”); Jason Schmidt (“The Outsiders”); Ethan Slater (“Monty Python’s Spamalot”); Jimmy Smagula (“Monty Python’s Spamalot”); Michael Urie (“Monty Python’s Spamalot”); Ryan Vazquez (“The Notebook”); Nik Walker (“Monty Pyton’s Spamalot”); Avery Wilson (“The Wiz”);

Actor in a Featured Role (Play)

• Corey Stoll, “Appropriate”
• Will Keen, “Patriots”
• Eli Gelb, “Stereophonic”
• Michael Imperioli, “An Enemy of the People”
• Alfred Molina, “Uncle Vanya”

For featured actor in a play, Corey Stoll has been winning raves in “Appropriate” since the production opened late last year; he’ll likely find himself in competition with Will Keen for that actor’s tightly controlled performance at Putin in “Patriots.” The entire male cast of “Stereophonic” is also eligible in this category; of all of them, Eli Gelb and Will Brill seem the most likely to stand out to nominators. With Michael Imperioli looking ready to get a nod for his much-admired performance in “An Enemy of the People,” fellow contenders Jim Parsons (“Mother Play”) and Alfred Molina (“Uncle Vanya”) might also find themselves in the mix.

Other contenders: Ari Brand (“Prayer for the French Republic”); Alex Brightman (“The Shark is Broken”); Will Brill (“Stereophonic”); Andrew R. Butler (“Stereophonic”); Colin Donnell (“The Shark is Broken”); Caleb Eberhardt (“An Enemy of the People”); Anthony Edwards (“Prayer for the French Republic”); Michael Esper (“Appropriate”); Billy Eugene Jones (“Purlie Victorious”); Alex Moffat (“The Cottage”); Nael Nacer (“Prayer for the French Republic”); Jim Parsons (“Mother Play”); Tom Pecinka (“Stereophonic”); Jay O. Sanders (“Purlie Victorious”); Aria Shahghasemi (“Prayer for the French Republic”); Ian Shaw (“The Shark is Broken”); Chris Stack (“Stereophonic”); Luke Thallon (“Patriots”); Ray Anthony Thomas (“I Need That”)

Actress in a Featured Role (Musical)

• Linsday Mendez, “Merrily We Roll Along”
• Bebe Neuwirth, “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”
• Nikki M. James, “Suffs”
• Kecia Lewis, “Hell’s Kitchen”
• Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, “Monty Python’ Spamalot”

There’s a real overflow of viable contenders for featured actress in a musical. Lindsay Mendez will certainly score a nod for “Merrily We Roll Along,” as will Bebe Neuwirth, whose performance in “Cabaret” was one of the few elements of the show that didn’t divide the critics. Strong competition abounds, most notably from Shoshanna Bean and Kecia Lewis in “Hell’s Kitchen,” Nikki M. James and Jenn Colella in “Suffs,” and Leslie Kritzer in “Spamalot.” Any one of them seems poised to claim a place in the category.

Other contenders: Ysenia Ayala (“Illinoise”); Shoshana Bean (“Hell’s Kitchen”); Julie Benko (“Harmony”); Melody A. Betts (“The Wiz”); Krystal Joy Brown (“Merrily We Roll Along”); Sierra Boggess (“Harmony”); Melody Butiu (“Here Lies Love”); Katie Rose Clarke (“Merrilly We Roll Along”); Jenn Coelella (“Suffs”); Deborah Cox (“The Wiz”); Hannah Cruz (“Suffs”); Gaby Diaz (“Illionoise”); Sara Gettelfinger (“Water for Elephants”); Amber Iman (“Lempicka”); Tamika Lawrence (“The Heart of Rock and Roll”); Alison Luff (“The Who’s Tommy”); Madison Kopec (“How to Dance in Ohio”); Beth Leavel (“Lempicka”); Grace McLean (“Suffs”); Samantha Pauly (“The Great Gatsby”); Imani Russell (“How to Dance in Ohio”); Lea Salonga (“Here Lies Love”); Emily Skinner (“Suffs”); Jennifer Simard (“Once Upon a One More Time”); Jordan Tyson (“The Notebook”); Joy Woods (“The Notebook”)

Actress in a Featured Role (Play)

• Kara Young, “Purlie Victorious”
• Sarah Pidgeon, “Stereophonic”
• Celia Kenan-Bolger, “Mother Play”
• Francis Benhamou, “Prayer for the French Republic”
• Quincy Tyler Bernstine, “Doubt”

In the category for featured actress in a play, you can count on Kara Young to score a spot for her uproarious performance in “Purlie Victorious.” From “Stereophonic,” Sarah Pidgeon’s strong character arc looks likely to land her a nom, while Celia Kenan-Bolger’s sturdy performance in “Mother Play” will probably get some love, too. Seemingly most likely to join them in the category are Francis Benhamou for “Prayer for the French Republic” and Quincy Tyler Bernstine for “Doubt.”

Other contenders: Brittany Adebumola (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”); Juliana Canfield (“Stereophonic”); Vanessa Bell Calloway (“Purlie Victorious”); Lilli Cooper (“The Cottage”); Lucy DeVito (“I Need That”); Elle Fanning (“Appropriate”); Natalie Gold (“Appropriate”); Jayne Houdyshell (“Uncle Vanya”); Zoe Kazan (“Doubt”); Lakisha May (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”); Nana Mensah (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”); Victoria Pedretti (“An Enemy of the People”); Alison Pill (“Uncle Vanya”); Molly Ranson (“Prayer for the French Republic”); Nancy Robinette (“Prayer for the French Republic”); Anika Noni Rose (“Uncle Vanya”); Heather Alicia Simms (“Purlie Victorious”); Dana Steingold (“The Cottage”); Dominique Thorne (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”); Brenda Wehle (“Mary Jane”); Zenzi Williams (“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”)

• “Suffs,” Shaina Taub
• “Hell’s Kitchen,” Kristoffer Diaz
• “The Outsiders,” Adam Rapp and Justin Levine
• “Days of Wine and Roses,” Adam Guettel
• “Lempicka,” Carson Kreitzer

“Suffs” will score a nod for its cleverly streamlined look at the fight for women’s right to vote, and “Hell’s Kitchen” for tracing the appealing story of its young protagonist through Alicia Keys’ music. Beyond that, the field seems wide open: The most likely of the potential nominees seem to be “Lempicka” for its historical scope, “The Outsiders” for its grit, “The Notebook” for its clever triple-cast conceit, “Days of Wine and Roses” for its unflinching portrait of a tough topic, or “Water for Elephants” for its wistful romance. With its karaoke take on Filipino history, heck, “Here Lies Love” could swoop in for a surprise. This one’s a big question mark.

Other contenders: “Back to the Future: Musical,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Harmony,” “The Heart of Rock and Roll,” “Here Lies Love,” “How to Dance in Ohio,” “Illinoise,” “The Notebook,” “Once Upon a One More Time” and “Water for Elephants”

• “Suffs,” music and lyrics by Shaina Taub
• “Days of Wine and Roses,” music and lyrics by Adam Guettel
• “Here Lies Love,” music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, lyrics by Byrne
• “The Notebook,” music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson
• “Lempicka,” music by Matt Gould and lyrics by Carson Kreitzer

For score, “Suffs” is a shoo-in with tunes that manage to be both eclectic and satisfyingly traditional. The serious complexity of “Days of Wine and Roses” also looks poised for a nom, as does the tuneful “Here Lies Love.” Beyond that, “The Notebook” and “Lempicka” (both from promising composers new to Broadway) stand a real chance at noms here, although the folk inflections of either “The Outsiders” or “Water for Elephants” could also attract admirers on the nominating committee. Plus, there’s always the wildcard possibility that nominators will reward Will Brill’s lauded score for “Stereophonic.”

Other contenders: “Back to the Future: The Musical,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Harmony,” “How to Dance in Ohio,” “The Outsiders,” “Patriots,” “Prayer for the French Republic,” “The Shark is Broken,” “Stereophonic” and “Water for Elephants”

Best Choreography

• “Cabaret”
• “The Who’s Tommy”
• “The Wiz”
• “The Outsiders”

Director (Play)

• Lila Neugebauer, “Appropriate”
• Kenny Leon, “Purlie Victorious”
• Daniel Aukin, “Stereophonic”
• Sam Gold, “An Enemy of the People”
• Whitney White, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”

Director (Musical)

• Maria Friedman, “Merrily We Roll Along”
• Alex Timbers, “Here Lies Love”
• Rebecca Frecknali, “Cabaret”
• Leigh Silverman, “Suffs”
• Justin Peck, “Illinoise”

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Money latest: Gameboys, Sindy dolls, designer shoes, 1950s furniture - the items in your attic that could be worth a small fortune

Gumtree's most popular items include rare stamps, Gameboys and Pokemon cards. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment or submit a consumer dispute or money problem in the box.

Monday 29 April 2024 19:46, UK

• Three of UK's biggest lenders up mortgage rates
• Annual mortgage repayments have increased by up to 70% since 2021
• Higher food prices and shortages warning - as new Brexit checks begin this week
• People on disability benefits could receive vouchers rather than cash

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• Gameboys, Sindy dolls, designer shoes, 1950s furniture: The items in your attic that could be worth a small fortune
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Strikes at Heathrow Airport are taking place over the next few weeks, with the first one already under way.

Staff at the UK's biggest airport are set to walk out during the early bank holiday in May, with their union warning planes could be "delayed, disrupted and grounded".

Click here to find out when all the strikes are, what disruption is expected and which airlines are affected...

The average price paid for comprehensive motor insurance rose 1% in the first quarter of the year, according to industry data indicating an easing in the steep rises seen last year.

The latest tracker issued by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) showed a 1% increase on the previous three months to £635.

That was despite the average claim paid rising 8% to reach a record of £4,800, the body said.

The ABI said the disparity showed that its members were "absorbing" additional costs and not passing them on.

Nevertheless, the average policy was still 33%, or £157, higher between January and March compared to the same period last year.

Read the full story here ...

Getir , the grocery delivery app, has abandoned a European expansion that is set to result in the loss of around 1,500 jobs in the UK.

Sky News had previously revealed that the Turkey-based company, which means "to bring" in Turkish, had  successfully raised money from investors to fund its withdrawals  from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.

It had already departed other countries including Italy and Spain.

The exits were prompted by growing losses linked to the company's rapid expansion.

Waitrose is launching an exclusive range of products with popular chef Yotam Ottolenghi today. 

The Israeli-British chef is famous for his Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired food, and has worked with the supermarket to release products including a pasta sauce, spice blend and shawarma marinade. 

It is the first time Ottolenghi has partnered with a supermarket in such a way. 

The full range will be available in Waitrose shops, Waitrose.com and Ottolenghi.co.uk from today, while a selection of products will be available from the supermarket on Deliveroo and Uber Eats. 

An introductory 20% off offer is being launched until 18 June. 

The range includes: 

• Ottolenghi Miso Pesto 165g (£4)
• Ottolenghi Kalamata Olive & Harissa Sauce  350g (£4.50)
• Ottolenghi Pomegranate, Rose & Preserved Lemon Harissa 170g (£5)
• Ottolenghi Green Harissa 170g (£5)
• Ottolenghi Aleppo & Other Chillies Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Sweet & Smokey Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Citrus & Spice Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Red Chilli Sauce (£4.50)
• Ottolenghi Shawarma Marinade (£4)

Ottolenghi said he had "always been super eager to get our flavours onto people's dinner plates nationwide, not just in London, without having to cook it from scratch every single time". 

He added: "I hate to admit it but the pasta sauce already features heavily in my home kitchen, when no one is looking."

The cost of bread, biscuits and beer could increase this year due to the impact of the unusually wet autumn and winter on UK harvests.

Research suggests that production of wheat, oats, barley and oilseed rape could drop by four million tonnes (17.5%) compared with 2023.

The wet weather has resulted in lower levels of planting, while flooding and storms over winter caused farmers more losses.

The predictions come just as the rate of price increases on many food items begins to slow as inflation falls.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) analysed forecasts from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHBD) and government yield data.

It found a "real risk" of beer, biscuits and bread becoming more expensive if the poor harvest increases costs for producers, according to its lead analyst Tom Lancaster.

Beer prices could be affected because the wet weather is still disrupting the planting of spring crops such as barley, the ECIU said.

And potatoes might also see a price hike in the coming months, with growers warning of a major shortage in the autumn due to persistent wet weather.

By Emily Mee , Money team

When I think about the toys of my childhood - my pink Barbie car, my Gameboy Micro, my collection of Pokemon cards - I can't tell you where they went. 

Maybe they were shipped off to a charity shop at some point... Or perhaps they're in the attic? 

While my hot pink Gameboy Micro is lost to the void of time (or a cardboard box somewhere in my mum's house), other versions of it are selling on eBay for £100 or more. 

And there are Pokemon cards selling for anything from a tenner to hundreds or even thousands of pounds. 

It's possible you also have items at home that are a collector's dream. 

Gumtree says its collectables category is already proving to be a "hotbed of activity" this year, with listings up 22% in 2024 so far. 

Its most popular items include rare stamps, coins, war memorabilia and Pokemon cards. 

Spring is often the most popular time for buying and selling collectibles, with demand spiking in March and April. 

We've enlisted the help of TV presenter and collectables expert Tracy Martin to give an idea of what could make you an easy buck. 

Old toys making a 'retro comeback'

Tracy explains that while trends change, vintage toys tend to stand the test of time. 

"Toys are always going to be popular because they tap into nostalgia, our childhood memories," she says, explaining that adults like to buy the toys they used to have. 

Perhaps you were into cars, and you've got some old diecast vehicles from Matchbox, Corgi or Dinky Toys. 

A quick look on toy auction site Vectis.co.uk shows a Corgi Toys "James Bond" Aston Martin estimated to sell for between £600 to £700 - while others are likely to fetch £50 to £60. 

Sindy dolls are also particularly sought after - particularly those from the 1960s - and Barbie dolls from the 1990s too. 

Pokemon cards have seen a "massive surge", Tracy says, with people paying "thousands and thousands of pounds" for good unopened sets. 

She's even seen examples of people paying £16,000 upwards. 

Another up-and-coming market is games consoles, such as Gameboys, vintage consoles and PlayStations, which are making a "retro comeback".

What else could earn you some cash?

Tracy says there's currently a surge in people wanting to buy "mid century" furniture, which is dated to roughly 1945 to 1965 and typically uses clean lines and has a timeless feel. 

Vintage Danish furniture is sought after, particularly tables and chairs with good designer names such as Wegner, Verner Panton and Arne Jacobsen.

Prices range from the low hundreds into the thousands.

People will also look out for vintage framed prints by artists such as Tretchikoff, J.H. Lynch and Shabner - these can range in price from £50 upwards to a few hundred pounds plus. 

Vintage clothes, handbags and shoes can fetch a good price - but you can also invest in modern pieces. 

Tracy suggests looking out for good classic designs with high-end designer names such as Gucci, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton. 

Modern designers such as Irregular Choice, Vendula and Lulu Guinness are also collected. 

Collaborations with designers and celebrities can do well as they're often limited edition. 

For example, Tracy says the H&M x Paco Rabanne maxi silver sequin dress retailed at £279.99 last year but now sells for in excess of £600. 

When it comes to shoes, "the quirkier the design the better" - so look out for brands such as Irregular Choice and Joe Browns. 

Converse and Dr Martens collaborations also do well, depending on the design and condition, as well as Adidas and Nike limited edition trainers. 

What's the best way to sell?  

Tracy recommends to always research before selling your items, as they might perform better on different platforms and you can also get an idea of how much they sell for. 

For example, Vinted can be a good place to sell clothes and shoes, while other items might be better suited for sale on Gumtree, eBay or Etsy. 

Tracy's favourite way to sell is through auction - especially if there are specialist sales. 

Vectis is one of the biggest and most popular for toy selling. 

Interests in different periods and items can go up and down, but for the time being vintage pieces from the 1980s and 90s are popular. 

How much you'll be able to get from an item often takes into account its rarity, condition, whether it reflects a period in time, and if it's got a good name behind it. 

You never know - you might be sitting on a treasure trove. 

Annual mortgage repayments have increased by up to 70% since 2021, according to new data from Zoopla .

The biggest impact of rising interest rates has been in southern England where house prices are higher.

Across the South West, South East and East of England, the annual mortgage cost for an average home is £5,000 higher than previously. This rises to £7,500 in London.

But the universal uptick in mortgage costs has been less pronounced in other parts of the UK, with the North East seeing a £2,350 increase.

In a bid to tackle inflation, the Bank of England has raised the base rate from 0.1% in December 2021 to a 16-year high of 5.25% now.

The Zoopla research looked at the average home buyer taking out a 70% loan-to-value mortgage.

This week seems to be starting where last week left off - with three major lenders announcing further hikes in mortgage rates.

Amid uncertainty of the timing of interest rate cuts from the Bank of England  this year, swap rates (which dictate how much it costs lenders to lend) have been rising in recent weeks.

Financial markets currently see two rate cuts by the Bank of England this year.

We've reported on a string of rate bumps from the high street over the last 10 days, and this morning NatWest, Santander and Nationwide moved.

In its second hikes announcement in less than a week, NatWest laid out increases across its full range of residential and buy-to-let fixed deals of up to 0.22%.

Santander, meanwhile, announced increases for both fixed and tracker deals across their residential and buy-to-let products - up to 0.25%.

The same hikes are being imposed for a range of Nationwide deals.

All of these will kick in tomorrow.

Amit Patel, adviser at Trinity Finance, told Newspage it was "not a great start to the week". 

"This is not good news for borrowers," he said.

Where will the base rate go this year?

The majority of the bets, according to LSEG data, are on the first cut coming in August (previously this was June) and the second in December.

This would take Bank rate from the current level of 5.25% to 4.75%.

Disabled people could receive vouchers instead of monthly payments under proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The changes could see people being provided with either one-off grants for specific costs such as home adaptation, or being directed to "alternative means of support" rather than financial support.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is set to announce plans today to overhaul the way disability benefits work.

In a Green Paper due to be published alongside Mr Stride's statement to the Commons, ministers will set out plans to reform Personal Independence Payments (PIP), the main disability benefit, through changes to eligibility criteria and assessments.

The plans also include proposals to "move away from a fixed cash benefit system", meaning people with some conditions, such as depression and anxiety, will no longer receive regular payments but rather get improved access to treatment if their condition does not involve extra costs.

Speaking to Sky News earlier, Mr Stride said: "I want us to have a grown-up, sensible conversation about a benefit called PIP that has not been reviewed in over a decade.

"And I want to ask the question, is it fit for purpose given the world that we're in today, in which mental health issues sadly present more of an issue than they did a decade ago."

By James Sillars , business reporter

A fresh high for the FTSE 100 to start the week.

The index of leading shares in London was 0.5% up at 8,179 in early dealing.

The gains were led by miners and financial stocks.

Dragging on the performance were some consumer-facing brands including JD Sports and Flutter Entertainment.

One other development of note to mention is that stubbornly high oil price.

A barrel of Brent crude is currently trading almost 1% down on the day.

But it remains at $88 a barrel.

The market has been pulled by various forces this month, with hopes of a rebound in demand in China among them.

The latest decline is said to reflect peace talks being held between Israel and Hamas.

A demand for smaller homes has driven growth in UK property prices early in 2024, according to research by Halifax.

Data from the bank's house price index suggests annual property price growth hit 1.9% in February this year - a significant rise from -4.1% just three months prior.

That equates to a rise in prices of £5,318 over the past year.

It follows interest rates stabilising, Halifax says, after a sharp rise over the past two years which squeezed mortgage affordability.

A key driver behind rising prices, Halifax says, has been first-time buyers, who made up 53% of all homes bought with a mortgage in 2023 - the highest proportion since 1995.

And it's smaller homes that have recorded the biggest increases in price growth in the early part of this year - with buyers adjusting their expectations to compensate for higher borrowing costs.

Flats and terraced houses made up 57% of all homes purchased by first-time buyers last year.

This varies by region - for example, in London, flats and terraced homes accounted for 90% of all first-time buyer purchases.

Challenges remain

However, Amanda Bryden, head of Halifax mortgages, said "it's important not to gloss over the challenges" facing the UK housing market, given the "impact of higher interest rates on mortgage affordability" and "continued lack of supply of new homes".

"But scratch beneath the surface and there is a more nuanced story, one which shows that demand for different property types in different parts of the country can vary hugely," she added.

"As interest rates have stabilised and buyers adjust to the new economic reality of owning a home, one way to compensate for higher borrowing costs is to target smaller properties.

"This is especially true among first-time buyers, who have proven to be resilient over recent years, and now account for the largest proportion of homes purchased with a mortgage in almost 30 years."

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