Tortured Bourbon – Four Roses OBSK Barrel Strength | 9 Year Kentucky Bourbon Review
Four Roses Bourbon
Tortured Bourbon – Four Roses OBSK Barrel Strength | 9 Year Kentucky Bourbon Review
There’s barrel proof, and then there’s this barrel proof.
Welcome back to Tortured Bourbon, where Heather and B throw the script out the window and pour something that makes you pay attention. This week’s unscripted Monday episode features Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength OBSK, aged 9 years 3 months, Warehouse BS, and bottled at a throat-warming 120 proof. It’s a local gem picked by Youngsville ABC in North Carolina—and it hits like a masterclass in what makes Kentucky bourbon unforgettable.
The Setup
Four Roses runs ten classic bourbon recipes—two mash bills crossed with five yeast strains—and the code “OBSK” means high-rye mash bill with the “K” yeast strain. That yeast brings warm baking spice, depth, and a little swagger. When you bottle that at barrel strength, you’re holding a pure slice of bourbon whiskey DNA.
The Nose
Big caramel. Deep oak. Toasted spice. A hint of dark cherry and vanilla bean that creeps in after a few minutes. This is a bourbon that rewards patience—give it air and it softens into something layered and elegant.
The Palate
The first sip reminds you it’s 120 proof—rich, oily, full of heat and power. Then the flavors start to settle: cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and sweet oak weaving through dark chocolate and molasses. The texture stays thick and silky, the way a great bourbon whiskey should.
The Finish
Long, spicy, and warming. It’s a campfire in slow motion. Vanilla and caramel echo all the way down while oak tannins keep it honest.
How It Stacks Up
Compared to standard Single Barrel Four Roses (the 100 proof shelf version), this OBSK pick feels older, bolder, and far more complex. The Warehouse BS location gives it an extra punch of char and spice, and the Youngsville ABC selection proves that small-town picks can go toe-to-toe with distillery exclusives.
Tasting Tips
Use a Glencairn or tulip glass to corral those high-proof aromas.
Pour small and let it breathe for five to ten minutes.
Add water only if you need to—this bourbon evolves beautifully on its own.
Circle back later; it changes with every sip.
Final Verdict
f you like your bourbon bold, spicy, and unapologetically strong, this one’s a must-try. The Four Roses OBSK 9 Year 3 Month barrel strength pick from Youngsville ABC is everything a Kentucky bourbon should be—complex, powerful, and full of personality.
Heather called it “a conversation in a glass.”
B just called it “another reason to love barrel proof.”
Either way, we’re calling it a win.
Stay tortured—and keep sipping. 🥃
