Whiskey Review: Four Roses Bourbon (Yellow Label)

Introduction

Today we’re revisiting Four Roses, one of the most recognizable names in American bourbon. Over the years, we’ve tried several expressions from the brand on Film & Whiskey, including Four Roses Small Batch and Small Batch Select. But Four Roses as a distillery is a much deeper rabbit hole than most casual bourbon drinkers realize.

Part of that comes from the brand’s famously intricate production system. Four Roses produces multiple mash bills and yeast strains that combine into a wide range of recipes, often labeled with codes like OBSV or OESV on single barrels. Enthusiasts love chasing those individual recipes to find their favorites. But on this show, we usually focus on core products rather than single barrels, simply because single barrels vary so widely. If we’re trying to give listeners a clear sense of what a brand tastes like, the most consistent place to start is with the core lineup.

That brings us to Four Roses Bourbon, commonly known as the Yellow Label. Bottled at 90 proof, this expression sits near the base of the Four Roses lineup and is widely available at an affordable price point. It’s intended as an approachable everyday bourbon, one shelf above the bottom tier but still firmly in the budget-friendly category.

With that in mind, we’re diving back in to see how it holds up.

Nose

Brad:
This is a really nice, pleasant nose. There’s some bubble gum, some caramel. It almost had a sweet wheat kind of vibe going on. There are some ripe strawberries. It honestly felt like a really nice, pleasant, summery, slightly fruity bourbon that I enjoyed well enough.
7/10

Bob:
I do get a little bit of rye spice here. The regular Four Roses is known for having a higher rye mash bill, and I pick that up immediately. But what stands out most to me is dusty pink bubble gum, like when you unwrap old-school bubble gum and it has that powder on the outside of it.

It’s nice, but it also has that smell that sometimes mass-produced whiskeys have for us. It’s like generic spiciness. There’s a lot of black pepper, a lot of vaguely sweet bubble gum and simple syrup. It’s definitely not complex.
6.5/10

Taste

Brad:
As I got into the palate, there’s some vanilla caramel. The most interesting note I got was that it reminds me of a strawberry Cream Saver candy a little bit. It’s fine.
7.5/10

Bob:
This is a lot more bitter and a lot more ashy than I thought it would be. The black pepper is there, but it really tips into char. Not just toastiness or smoke, but overly charred wood is the predominant note for me.

There’s a little sweetness on the front, maybe simple syrup or a touch of honey. There’s some nice soft grain to it. But then it tips right into ashtray at the end. I was excited to revisit this one, but I can’t say it’s my favorite whiskey we’ve tried this season.
5.5/10

Finish

Brad:
The finish is where I get that black pepper and oakiness. It almost goes into banana territory for me, which I thought was pleasant.
7.5/10

Bob:
Once you mentioned the banana note, I definitely got that. But it’s almost like an overripe banana where it gets so sweet it tips back toward sour again.

The finish itself is nicer than the palate, but my bigger issue is the mouthfeel. This is 90 proof, but it drinks like water. I’m not sure it would stand up in a cocktail. The flavors might, but the body feels too thin to hold its own in something like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
6.5/10

Balance

Brad:
This feels like one of those whiskeys where the sum is greater than the individual parts. There are some nice flavors, and there’s just enough fruitiness that I enjoyed the experience overall.
8/10

Bob:
I’m really disappointed with this one, honestly. Everything about it feels a little underwhelming.

6/10

Value

In Ohio, this bottle typically runs around $37.

Bob:
If this were still around $30, I’d probably give it a 6.5/10 on value. But at $37, I think you’d be crazy to buy this over something like Elijah Craig or a number of other bourbons in the same price range. I think there are better options at that price point.
4.5/10

Brad:
We’re landing in very different places again. I agree there are a lot of good options in the $35–$40 range, but I still think this is a decent value.
6.5/10

Final Scores

Brad: 36.5/50
Bob: 29/50

That gives us an average score of 32.75/50 (or 65.5/100).

For context, 35/50 is usually the threshold where we start recommending trying a pour at a bar or picking up a bottle. Around 40/50 is great, and 45/50 enters rare territory.

At 32.75, Four Roses Bourbon (Yellow Label) falls just short of that recommendation line. Brad found it to be a pleasant, easy-drinking bourbon with enough fruit and sweetness to keep it interesting. Bob found it thin, overly charred, and difficult to recommend given the competition in the same price range.

If you’re curious about Four Roses as a brand, we’d likely point you toward Four Roses Small Batch Select, which offers a much more robust and memorable experience. But if you’re looking for an affordable everyday bourbon and enjoy lighter, fruitier profiles, Four Roses Yellow Label may still have its place on the shelf.