Four Roses

Introduction:

The Four Roses Distillery is renowned not only for producing one of the most celebrated Bourbons but also for its stunning architecture. Built in a captivating Spanish mission – style, the distillery stands out as a remarkable landmark in Kentucky and holds a place in the National Register of Historic Places. Established in 1910 along the banks of the Salt River near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, the distillery originally operated as the Old Prentice Distillery. In 1986, it adopted the name Four Roses Distillery. However, the history of the Four Roses brand stretches back further, involving changes in ownership and production locations. This iconic Bourbon holds a rich and fascinating story that we’re eager to share with you.

The Production:

The Four Roses Distillery stands out with its truly distinctive approach to whiskey production. Unlike many others, Four Roses utilizes two distinct mashbills and five unique yeast strains, leading to the creation of 10 different whiskey recipes. This variation arises from the combination of mashbill and yeast choices, resulting in a diverse range of flavors.

Each barrel of Four Roses whiskey is identified by a four-letter code, such as “OBSV.” The first letter “O” signifies the Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, while the third letter “S” represents straight whiskey. The second letter, either “B” or “E”, indicates the mashbill used:

• B: 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley
• E: 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley

The fourth letter defines the influence of the yeast strain:

• F: Herbal
• K: Spicy, full-bodied
• O: Fruity, spicy, medium-bodied
• Q: Floral, spicy, medium-bodied
• V: Fruity, creamy, delicate

This unique barrel code system can be found on Single Barrel Four Roses Bourbon bottles. By blending casks with different codes, Four Roses creates its various releases, such as the Yellow Label and Small Batch, allowing them to shape the whiskey’s distinct character.

The Mashing:

Upon the arrival of grains at the distillery, samples are collected and sent to the grain laboratory for comprehensive testing. These tests determine the quality of the grain and whether it is suitable for use in the production process. This step is crucial to ensure that the grains are free from any mold or contaminants that could potentially affect the overall quality of the mash.

Four Roses employs two distinct mashbills for their whiskey production. The first mashbill consists of 60% corn, 35% rye, and 5% malted barley. The second mashbill uses 75% corn, 20% rye, and also 5% malted barley. These different combinations of grains contribute to the diverse flavor profiles that Four Roses is known for.

The Fermentation:

Fermentation at Four Roses involves the use of their five distinct yeast strains, resulting in five different types of fermented “beer”. The distillery has 23 fermenters, some of which are constructed from red Cyprus, an endangered wood species that is no longer used for new fermenters. Newer fermenters are made from Douglas-fir or stainless steel due to the limited availability of red Cyprus.

The fermentation process begins after the mash and yeast are combined, causing the temperature to rise. Once it reaches 90°F (32.2°C), a cooling system is activated to maintain the temperature at this level. This temperature control is essential to achieve the optimal conditions for fermentation, resulting in the desired characteristics for distillation. The fermented beer, with an average alcohol content of 8% ABV, is then stored in a beer well in preparation for the distillation process.

The Distillation:

The fermented beer with an alcohol content of 8% ABV goes through the distillation process at Four Roses. In the beer still, this beer is distilled to increase the alcohol content to around 66% ABV (132 Proof). A tail house is used to observe and monitor the distillation process.

Four Roses Distillery’s doubler, which resembles a Scottish pot still in shape, plays a crucial role in the process. Here, the spirit is further concentrated to about 70% ABV (140 Proof). Two condensers, the Beer Still Condenser and the Doubler Condenser, cool down the alcoholic vapors, causing them to condense back into liquid form. The distillation process results in a high – proof distillate known as “white dog,” which is collected in the tail box. This tail box serves as a station for sampling and measuring the distilled spirit.

Warehouses and Bottling Facility:

The Four Roses Distillery’s warehouses are located in Cox’s Creek, Kentucky, which is approximately an hour away from Lawrenceburg where the distillery is situated. Unlike other bourbon distilleries, Four Roses has single – story warehouses. This design choice is intended to create distinct maturation conditions due to varying temperatures on different levels of the warehouse. Additionally, the single-story warehouses make it easier to access and handle the barrels.

While the warehouses you see near the Four Roses Distillery are owned by Wild Turkey, the actual Four Roses warehouses are in Cox’s Creek. The distillery’s bottling operations also take place in Cox’s Creek. The distillery has established a new visitor center in Cox’s Creek where visitors can explore the warehouses, observe the barreling process, and learn about the bottling procedures.

The History:

Paul Jones Jr., a businessman selling whiskey and tobacco in Louisville, Kentucky, trademarked the Four Roses brand in 1888. The brand’s origins date back to the 1860s, with a connection to a distillery founded by a family named Rose. There’s also a legend that Paul Jones Jr. proposed to a young woman who replied “Yes” by wearing four roses on her gown.

In 1902, Paul Jones Jr. and other distillers established the Frankfort Distillery in Kentucky. During Prohibition (1920 – 1933), the distillery produced alcohol for medical use, allowing it to survive while many other distilleries closed. After Prohibition, Four Roses Bourbon became one of the most prominent and bestselling bourbons in the USA.

In 1943, Seagram purchased Frankfort Distillers, which included the Four Roses and Old Prentice labels among others. Production was consolidated after World War II in distilleries in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, and Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. However, Seagram stopped selling Four Roses Straight Bourbon in the US, focusing on Europe and Asia.

In 2002, the Japanese Kirin Brewery Company acquired the Four Roses brand trademark. They decided to reintroduce Four Roses Kentucky Straight Bourbon to the US, and today it is once again considered one of the most respected whiskey brands in the country.

Visitor Center:

The Four Roses Distillery offers daily tours at its Bonds Mill Road location in Lawrenceburg, KY. The tour fee is $5.00 per person. This ticket also grants you access to visit the Warehouse & Bottling Facility in Cox’s Creek within 60 days without any additional charge.

Distillery Tours:

Monday – Saturday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm on the hour
Sunday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm on the hour

Visitor information:

Four Roses Distilling Co.
1224 Bonds Mill Road
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky 40342
Tel: +1(502) 839-3436