Five Four Roses Barrel Strength Recipes Hit Arkansas

Bourbon fans in Arkansas are in for a treat — five different Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength recipes are currently available across the state. Pulled from four different warehouses and offered by three stores, these releases showcase the depth and variety that make Four Roses one of Kentucky’s most respected distilleries.

🏬 Where to Find Them

Here’s the current lineup available around Central Arkansas:

• 107 Liquor (Sherwood): OBSQ • OBSK • OBSF
• Springhill Wine & Spirits (North Little Rock): OBSO
• Warehouse Liquor (Downtown Little Rock): OESF — the only low-rye mashbill among the group

With ages ranging from 8½ to over 11 years, this collection represents a rare moment where multiple Four Roses recipes can be found at once in Arkansas.

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🌹 Understanding Four Roses Recipes

One of the things that sets Four Roses apart is its use of 10 distinct bourbon recipes, each identified by a unique four-letter code such as OBSK or OESF. These recipes result from combining two mashbills with five yeast strains, producing a wide range of flavors that bourbon fans can explore.

🔠 The Four-Letter Code

Each Four Roses recipe has four letters, and each one means something specific:

Position	Example	Meaning
1st Letter: O	OBSK	Always “O” — designates Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
2nd Letter: B or E	OBSK / OESF	Mashbill type — “B” = High Rye (spicy, bold), “E” = Low Rye (smoother, sweeter)
3rd Letter: S	OBSK	Always “S” — stands for Straight Whiskey
4th Letter: V, K, O, Q, F	OBSK	Yeast strain — determines the flavor profile (fruit, spice, floral, herbal)

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🧪 The Ten Four Roses Recipes

Recipe	Mashbill	Yeast	Flavor Profile
OBSV	High Rye	V	Delicate fruit, creamy vanilla, light spice
OBSK	High Rye	K	Full-bodied spice, robust and warm
OBSO	High Rye	O	Rich fruit, hints of red berries and oak
OBSQ	High Rye	Q	Floral and fragrant with rose petal notes
OBSF	High Rye	F	Herbal, minty, and refreshing
OESV	Low Rye	V	Sweet fruit, creamy mouthfeel, gentle spice
OESK	Low Rye	K	Soft spice, mellow oak, balanced warmth
OESO	Low Rye	O	Deep fruit flavors, round and rich
OESQ	Low Rye	Q	Floral with hints of honeysuckle and citrus
OESF	Low Rye	F	Herbal, mint-forward, clean finish

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🥃 High-Rye vs. Low-Rye Mashbills

• Mashbill B (High Rye) → 60% Corn / 35% Rye / 5% Malted Barley
  • Expect more spice, structure, and boldness in these recipes.
• Mashbill E (Low Rye) → 75% Corn / 20% Rye / 5% Malted Barley
  • Produces a smoother, sweeter bourbon with more rounded fruit and vanilla notes.

All of Four Roses’ bourbons — from their standard Single Barrel (OBSV) to limited-edition Private Selections — draw from these same ten recipes. That’s what makes the brand so collectible and fascinating to bourbon drinkers who love exploring nuance and complexity.

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🧭 Why It Matters

It’s uncommon to see this much variety from Four Roses on Arkansas shelves at the same time — especially five different recipes from four separate warehouses. Whether you prefer spicy high-rye barrels or soft, herbal low-rye expressions, there’s something for every palate right now.

If you discover another Four Roses Barrel Strength pick anywhere in the state, let us know so we can update this list for the community.

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💬 New to Bourbon?

If you’re new to bourbon or don’t know what all those letters mean, don’t worry — everyone starts somewhere.
👉 Leave a comment below, and someone from the Arkansas bourbon community will be happy to explain how to decode the Four Roses recipes.

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