Four Roses Bourbon

What Four Roses Bourbon does

Four Roses Distillery LLC is a privately held Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey producer founded in 1888 by Paul Jones Jr. in Louisville, Kentucky. The company operates a historic distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and a warehouse and bottling facility in Cox's Creek, Kentucky. Four Roses is owned within the founding family lineage with no institutional equity or external acquisition documented, and has no parent company or public listing. The brand traces its origin to an 1884 marriage proposal and acquired the Frankfort Distilling Company in 1922 to survive Prohibition as a medical whiskey; under Seagram ownership the brand became a top-selling bourbon in Europe and Japan before Jim Rutledge returned the brand to the U.S. market in the 1990s as Master Distiller.

The company's core technology is a proprietary 10-recipe framework combining two mash bills with five proprietary yeast strains, producing ten distinct bourbon recipes (OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OBSQ, OESV, OESK, OESF, OESQ, OESO) that drive the brand's signature "mellow spice" flavor profile. The core product lineup consists of Four Roses Bourbon (80 proof, minimum 5 years), Small Batch (90 proof, 6-7 years), Single Barrel OBSV (100 proof, 7-9 years, hand-selected by Master Distiller Brent Elliott), and Small Batch Select (104 proof, non-chill filtered, 6-7 years). The product surface expanded materially in November 2024 with the launch of the Single Barrel Collection, which rotates annually across multiple recipes, and is supplemented by an annual Limited Edition Small Batch release cadence that has run uninterrupted since 2017 with age statements reaching 19-25 years and proofs from 107.3 to 114.2.

Four Roses operates a multi-channel distribution model combining wholesale distribution to retailers, liquor stores, and on-premise accounts across the U.S. with direct-to-consumer sales through two Kentucky visitor centers, an online merchandise storefront, and a complimentary personalized label service on Small Batch and Small Batch Select bottles. The Mellow Moments Club, established in 2005 with 7,087+ members, adds a subscription-style loyalty layer offering private barrel selections, early limited-release access, 10% merchandise discounts, and member-only events. The company serves three primary consumer segments — new and casual bourbon drinkers, spirits enthusiasts, and discerning bourbon collectors — while maintaining active consumer marketing across social media, a content blog, brand ambassador representation, and distillery tour experiences.

Name

Four Roses Bourbon

Legal name

Four Roses Distillery LLC

Website

https://fourrosesbourbon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Four Roses Distillery LLC is a privately held Kentucky Straight Bourbon producer founded in 1888. It produces bourbon using two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains, selling through wholesale distribution and direct-to-consumer visitor centers to bourbon enthusiasts and collectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Bourbon Whiskey

NAICS

Distilleries (312140), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits Distilling & Brands (CRADAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spirits Distillery Tours & Tastings (Whiskey, Rum, Gin, Vodka) (THAJAGAF), Spirits Retail & Whiskey Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAD), Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA)

Keywords

• Kentucky straight bourbon
• Single barrel whiskey
• Small batch bourbon
• Bourbon distillery
• Premium whiskey

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrenceburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Bourbon Product Sales: Core revenue from selling bourbon products including Four Roses Bourbon (80 proof), Small Batch (90 proof), Single Barrel OBSV (100 proof), Small Batch Select (104 proof), and limited edition releases.
2. Mellow Moments Club Membership: Loyalty program offering exclusive benefits including merchandise discounts (10%), early access to limited releases, private barrel selections, and member-only events.
3. Merchandise Sales: Online merchandise store selling glassware, bar accessories, apparel, jewelry and accessories. Available at visitor centers and online.
4. Visitor Experiences: Revenue from distillery tours and bottling facility tours at their Lawrenceburg, KY and Cox's Creek, KY locations.
5. Personalized Label Service: Complimentary customized labels for Small Batch and Small Batch Select bottles, with bottles sold separately.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Four Roses manufactures and sells Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey across a laddered portfolio including Four Roses Bourbon (80 proof, aged minimum 5 years), Small Batch (90 proof, aged 6-7 years), Single Barrel OBSV (100 proof, aged 7-9 years), Small Batch Select (104 proof, aged 6-7 years, non-chill filtered), an annual Limited Edition Small Batch series (107-114.2 proof), and a Single Barrel Collection of rotating single-barrel expressions drawn from ten proprietary recipes built on two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains. The brand also sells branded merchandise, offers a complimentary personalized label service for Small Batch and Small Batch Select bottles, operates the Mellow Moments Club loyalty program, and hosts paid distillery and bottling-facility tours at its two Kentucky visitor centers.

Product overview

Four Roses Bourbon is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey brand founded in 1888, producing a portfolio of bourbon products. The core lineup consists of four main expressions: Four Roses Bourbon (entry-level, 80 proof), Small Batch (90 proof), Single Barrel OBSV (flagship, 100 proof), and Small Batch Select (104 proof, non-chill-filtered). The brand recently launched a new Single Barrel Collection featuring multiple expressions from their ten signature recipes. Annual Limited Edition Small Batch releases showcase older, higher-proof bourbon expressions selected by Master Distiller Brent Elliott. Additional offerings include a personalized label service, the Mellow Moments Club loyalty program with over 7,000 members, cocktail recipes, and distillery visitor experiences. All bourbons are made from combinations of two mash bills and five proprietary yeast strains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mellow Moments Club: A community club for Four Roses enthusiasts to connect, share stories, and stay updated with all things Four Roses. Established in 2005 with 7,087 members as of the latest count.

Products and services

• Four Roses Bourbon Entry-level Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 80 proof, aged minimum 5 years, made with the OBSQ, OBSF, OESV, OESQ, and OESF recipes. Designed as an approachable bourbon for new or casual bourbon drinkers seeking an elevated everyday whiskey experience.
• Four Roses Small Batch Premium bourbon at 90 proof, aged 6-7 years, balanced for versatile everyday use across cocktails and sipping. Available in 750ml, 375ml, and 50ml sizes with a complimentary personalized label option for gifting.
• Four Roses Single Barrel OBSV Flagship single barrel bourbon at 100 proof, aged 7-9 years, hand-selected by Master Distiller Brent Elliott from the OBSV recipe. Pronounced yet elegant flavor with notes of dried spice, pear, cocoa, vanilla, maple syrup, ripe plum, and cherries; awarded World's Best Single Barrel Bourbon.
• Four Roses Small Batch Select Expertly-crafted non-chill-filtered bourbon at 104 proof, aged 6-7 years, providing rich depth of flavor and a closer-to-the-barrel experience. Available in 750ml, 375ml, and 50ml sizes with a complimentary personalized label option.
• Four Roses Single Barrel Collection Rotating collection of single-barrel bourbon expressions drawn from Four Roses' ten signature recipes, including OBSV (available at launch), OBSF, OESK, and OESO (available early 2025), with OESF, OESQ, and OBSK planned for 2026 release. Each expression showcases the unique flavor profile of its underlying recipe.
• Four Roses Single Barrel OESO Single barrel bourbon expression at 100 proof, aged 7-9 years, made from recipe 8 (OESO). Features rich red fruits, vanilla, brown sugar, and delicate oak with a soft, long-lasting finish.
• Four Roses Single Barrel OESK Single barrel bourbon expression at 100 proof, aged 7-9 years, made from recipe 7 (OESK). Features baking spices, mellow oak, tea leaves, and caramel with a smooth, lasting finish.
• Four Roses Single Barrel OBSF Single barrel bourbon expression at 100 proof, aged 7-9 years, made from recipe 5 (OBSF). Features mint, apple, allspice, vanilla, bright rye, and brown sugar with a rich, lasting finish.
• Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch (Annual Series) Annual limited-edition small batch bourbon curated by Master Distiller Brent Elliott, non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel strength (107.3-114.2 proof across vintages). Features older bourbons aged 10-25 years from a blend of recipes, released annually for collectors and connoisseurs.
• Personalized Label Service Complimentary customized label service for Four Roses Small Batch and Small Batch Select bottles, allowing customers to add personal messages (up to 32 characters on line 1 and 22 characters on line 2) for gifting. Labels ship separately from the bottles with 2-3 week production and delivery time.
• Mellow Moments Club Loyalty program established in 2005 for Four Roses enthusiasts with 7,000+ members. Benefits include a welcome kit, monthly newsletter, Facebook group access, private barrel selections with the Master Distiller, early access to limited releases, invitations to special events, 10% merchandise discount, complimentary tour experience, and anniversary pins.
• Distillery and Bottling Facility Tours Visitor experiences at Four Roses Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and the Warehouse & Bottling Facility in Cox's Creek, Kentucky. Year-round distillery and bottling facility tours showcase the bourbon-making process and are paired with direct on-site purchasing opportunities.
• Branded Merchandise Online merchandise store selling glassware, bar accessories, apparel, jewelry, and accessories at store.fourrosesbourbon.com, also available on-site at the two Kentucky visitor centers.

Quantifiable outcome

• World's Best Single Barrel Bourbon award for OBSV recipe
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• New Belgium BrewingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2021Collaboration on 2021 release of Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale, a pioneering beer brewed using proprietary infusion method that pulls Four Roses flavors from bourbon-steeped charred oak. The 9.6% ABV ale is sold in six-pack bottles in limited quantities and available at Four Roses visitor centers.
• Brooklyn BreweryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2021Collaboration on 2021 Brooklyn Black Ops, a Russian Imperial Stout aged in Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon barrels hand-selected by Master Distiller Brent Elliott. Features notes of cocoa nibs with rich vanilla aromatics. 12.9% ABV, sold in four-packs of 16-ounce cans. Available at Four Roses visitor centers.
• Chef Drew (Grilla Grills)minorOthersCollaborated with Chef Drew from Grilla Grills to create a chili recipe featuring Four Roses Small Batch for game day content. Chef Drew holds degrees from The Art Institute of New York City, The International Wine Center, and NYU.
• Barritt's Ginger BeerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBarritt's Ginger Beer recommended as a mixer component for Four Roses cocktails, particularly summer cocktails and bourbon drinks.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• WhistlePig: Premium rye and bourbon producer with strong limited-edition allocation and farm-distillery experience; competing for enthusiast and collector dollars that increasingly overlap with Four Roses' limited edition buyers.

Direct peers

• Old Forester: Historic Kentucky bourbon brand with a similar multi-expression lineup (including 117 and Birthday Bourbon limited editions) and a comparable craft-to-premium positioning.
• Bulleit Bourbon: High-rye Kentucky bourbon with strong bar and on-premise presence; competes directly with Four Roses Small Batch and Single Barrel in the premium cocktail and call-brand segments.
• Maker's Mark: Wheated Kentucky bourbon with a heritage brand story and red-wax signature; competes in the same premium everyday and gift occasions that anchor Four Roses' core lineup.
• Buffalo Trace: Cult-status Kentucky bourbon with strong allocation-driven demand and a comparable aged-product lineup (Blanton's, Eagle Rare, George T. Stagg), competing for enthusiast mindshare and limited-edition dollars.
• Knob Creek: Small batch bourbon from Jim Beam's premium line with comparable age statements and flavor positioning; directly competes in the same 90-100 proof premium category.
• Woodford Reserve: Premium Kentucky bourbon with strong visitor experience at the Versailles distillery and a comparable master distiller-led portfolio; competes head-to-head with Four Roses in the small batch and single barrel premium segments.
• Wild Turkey: Kentucky straight bourbon producer with a comparable premium tier (Rare Breed, Russell's Reserve) and similar craft-to-mid-premium positioning, directly competing for shelf space and on-premise listings alongside Four Roses.

Broad incumbents

• Jim Beam: Largest US bourbon producer with deep distribution and an extensive portfolio (Knob Creek, Booker's, Baker's) that competes across every price tier where Four Roses plays, with substantially greater scale.
• Heaven Hill Distilleries: Major Kentucky spirits producer behind Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Larceny, and Henry McKenna, competing across value and premium tiers with broad distribution and large aged inventory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/4RosesBourbon
• Facebookfacebook.com/fourrosesbourbon
• Instagraminstagram.com/fourrosesbourbon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/four-roses-distillery

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Four Roses Bourbon