Four Roses Single Barrel

Intro:  From the Four Roses website:

You'll want to savor the taste of this premium Single Barrel again and again.  It's complex, full-bodied and surprisingly smooth with a delicate, long finish that's unbelievably mellow.  Drink straight up or on the rocks.  100 proof.  50% alcohol/volume.

Review:

I grew up about 25 miles from the Four Roses distillery.  They have stuck with their mainstay brands for quite sometime (bourbon, single barrel, and small batch) with a few rare bottles ever so often that don't remain in their product line.  Let's see how this old girl measures up.

The nose is pretty decent.  Fumes are present but not offensive to the point you can't enjoy the smell.  The longer it airs out, the softer and more pleasant it gets.  Has a light spice aroma that makes you think the heat will be low.  I'm optimistic!  

A mild amount of heat on the lips and tongue and the flavor is not too bad.  The spice does not taste as I would have imagined after sampling the nose.  I think it is because there is a prevalent barrel char flavor that offsets the spice flavor trying to sneak through. The finish is a bit spicy and leaves the back of the tongue, throat, and stomach hot for a few seconds.  It isn't bad, but doesn't knock my socks off.  

Is it worth the $?

I paid $33 for this at the Navy Exchange.  I think this bourbon would be better priced around the mid to high twenties.  I am glad I have it in my collection but don't envision repeat purchases.