Last time I purchased a bottle of Four Roses Single Barrel it was just under $30 a bottle before taxes. For the money, this one tops them all in my opinion. I have heard, or read, or made it up my own self, that a very important component in Four Roses' taste is the yeast. To my palate it has a deep and different sweetness that goes so well with its high rye finish, which I find reminiscent of cinnamon red hots. A very cleansing taste that leaves the mouth tingling and refreshed. It is powerful good stuff and every bit the equal of any bourbon on the face of this planet in my estimation. I tried it against some Wild Turkey Rare Breed and some Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond (an essential bourbon). All are high rye recipes and are similar in that respect, and are similar in the level of sweetness.......but all are different too.
The Four Roses has a slight tinge of yeast in the taste (that is what I'm gone call that unique taste)
The Rare Breed has a bit more oak in its taste
The Old Grand Dad has more corn in its taste
On this occasion, I prefer the Four Roses, although all are first rate whiskies. The Four Roses sells in the $30 range, the OGD sells in the $18 range, and the WT Rare Breed sells in the $45 range.
On several occasions in the past I have written that Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond bourbon should be the bourbon against which all other bourbons should be measured. In my opinion it is bourbon central. You can go from OGDBIB to every other bourbon. Some will be softer, some will be more vigorous, some will have more barrel flavors, but OGD is always there so you can reset. The essential ingredients of traditional American bourbon are there for all to taste........ good water, good corn, good rye, good barrels, sufficient time in the barrel for all to work together.