Four Roses Distillery LLC

Overview of the Distillery

Four Roses is a historic Kentucky bourbon label with roots dating back to 1888. The distillery is known for its recipe-driven approach, where two mash bills are combined with five proprietary yeast strains to create ten distinct recipes. The facility in Lawrenceburg and a warehouse & bottling facility in Cox's Creek produce a core range of bourbons, aged in charred American oak barrels and offered to visitors for tours and tastings.

History

The story of Four Roses unfolds from Paul Jones Jr.'s move to Louisville in 1884 to what became a lasting brand in 1888. In 1922, the Paul Jones Company expanded by purchasing the Frankfort Distilling Company, and during Prohibition Four Roses was sold as 'medical whiskey,' which helped ensure the brand's survival. Over the course of the 20th century, ownership directions changed, and later in 1995 Jim Rutledge stepped forward as Master Distiller, a role he would manage until retirement. In February 2002 Kirin Brewery Company bought Four Roses and established Four Roses Distillery LLC; during this period the bourbon returned to American shelves. In August 2015 Brent Elliott took over the role of Master Distiller and continues today to develop and maintain Four Roses’ signature style.

Raw Materials and Production

Four Roses works with two defined mash bills: one with 60% corn / 35% rye / 5% barley and one with 75% corn / 20% rye / 5% barley. The water is sourced from the limestone-rich Salt River in Lawrenceburg. After mashing, the mash is pumped to fermentation, where five proprietary yeast strains create unique aroma and flavor profiles; fermentation lasts at least three days and produces a 'distiller's beer' of around 8% alcohol. Distillation occurs in two steps: first a column still, producing a 'white dog' of around 132 proof, and then a pot still called the Doubler, which rounds the distillate to about 138–140 proof. After a quality check in retention tanks, the proof is reduced before barreling, and the distillate is transported to aging in single-story rack warehouses. Single-barrel releases are handled individually and are often sent directly to the bottling line after selection.

Maturation and Barrel Types

Four Roses uses new, charred American oak barrels (53 gallons) in accordance with the requirements for straight bourbon. The liquids age in single-story rack warehouses, which provide a relatively even temperature throughout aging (roughly 8 °F from top to bottom). Retention tanks and the choice of barrel proof before aging are actively used to influence which aroma components the wood yields. The minimum age for the core range is five years, while certain releases such as single barrels are aged longer.

Whiskies

The core lineup includes Four Roses Bourbon (available in both 80 and 100 proof), Small Batch, Small Batch Select, and Single Barrel (for example OBSV). The products are defined by a combination of the ten recipes, with some barrels used for single-barrel releases and selected barrels blended for Small Batch and other variants. Aging indications range from a minimum of five years for the standard release to 7–9 years for individual single barrels.

Whisky Style and Flavor Profile

The style spans floral essences, fruity nuances, and spicy, rye-based elements. Several of Four Roses' recipes describe 'delicate fruit' and 'rich fruit', others highlight 'baking spice' and rye character, and several note floral accents. Aging in new, charred American oak barrels also contributes vanilla and caramel tones. These directions recur across the core range and single-barrel releases.

Visit the Distillery

Four Roses welcomes visitors at two locations: the distillery in Lawrenceburg (1224 Bonds Mill Rd) and the Warehouse & Bottling Facility in Cox's Creek (624 Lotus Road). Both locations offer year-round distillery, warehousing, and bottling experiences plus a visitor center with a shop; Lawrenceburg also features Bar 1888 and an outdoor patio. Opening hours for both locations are Wednesday–Saturday 9:00–16:00 and Sunday 12:00–16:00. Experiences and tastings can be booked via the experiences widget on the website.

The stated hours are Lawrenceburg (Distillery): Wed–Sat 9:00–16:00, Sun 12:00–16:00. Cox's Creek (Warehouse & Bottling Facility): Wed–Sat 9:00–16:00, Sun 12:00–16:00.

Philosophy and Craft

Four Roses explicitly works with a recipe-driven approach: two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains provide the foundation for ten recipes. Combined with a focus on the quality of raw materials (especially limestone-rich water), hand-selecting barrels, and controlled aging, the distillery aims for consistency and quality in both blended and single-barrel releases. The brand also promotes responsible enjoyment with the motto “Be mellow. Be responsible.”

Awards and Recognitions

• Gold Medal (2023, Gold, Four Roses Bourbon)

• Gold Medal (2023, Gold, Four Roses Bourbon)

• Gold Medal (2023, Gold, Four Roses Bourbon)

• Gold Medal (2023, Gold, Four Roses Bourbon)

• Double Gold (2022, Double Gold, Four Roses Bourbon)

• Double Gold (2022, Double Gold, Four Roses Bourbon)

• Great Value (2022, Great Value, Four Roses Bourbon)

Latest News

Ringing in the New Year with Four Roses – 12/29/2021

A blog post with suggestions for incorporating Four Roses into New Year toasts, including a recipe for the 'Silver 75' cocktail and a curated playlist to enjoy at festive occasions.