I have always wanted to try the Four Roses OESO recipe, given that this is a low rye bourbon with vanilla and cherry yeast, which they describe as rich fruit – that is just very appealing to me. I love OESK and OESQ and am excited to try OESO on its own. OESO has not been in a Limited Edition Small Batch since 2016 and the last single barrel release of this recipe was in 2007. It is a component of Four Roses and Four Roses Small Batch, but not Small Batch Select. These red label Four Roses Single Barrels are $45 and bottled at 100 proof.

The color on this is a medium amber; its not straw like, but definitely lighter reflecting this this was aged for probably seven years in Four Roses’ single story rickhouses and so it wasn’t exposed to scorching heat. I have found with Four Roses that color does not always reveal the oak influence you will find on the palate. On the swirl, I find a thick film that coats the glass with oily legs. On the nose is bountiful dark fruits, vanilla, baking spice, and some nice oak in the background. On the palate, vanilla, juicy fruit gum, cherry candies, stone fruit, and baking spice coat the tongue; this bourbon is richer on the palate than Four Roses regular Single Barrel. On the finish, the baking spices turn to clove with oak tannin; for a 100 proof bourbon the finish is extremely long.

I also picked up another bottle of OESK, which I have previously reviewed and is in close competition with OESQ for being my favorite receipe at Four Roses. Tasting it after OSEO, OESK is definitely spicier but it is a little less complex on the palate than OESO, and while it is an extremely rich and delicious bourbon, I think OSEO is my new favorite recipe. While OSEO lacks the black and red pepper notes of OESK, the baking spice and clove do more than enough to make up for that, and the layers of fruit, particularly the cherries and juicy fruit gum, are truly wonderful. Amazingly, this has the juicy fruit flavors of OESQ but amps it up with cherries and other dark and stone fruits.

Just my personal opinion, but Four Roses has been hiding the great stuff in the back with the OESO bourbon, that ought to be front and center in its limited release bourbons and single barrel store picks. Just a truly fantastic bourbon.