Four Roses Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

Chockie Tom is an Indigenous, award-winning bartender turned writer who focuses her work on advocacy and cultural empowerment in the bar industry.

Taste wise: crisp, soft and smooth, with fruit and honey, as well as big buttery notes of sweetcorn and the spicy, peppery flavour of rye, thanks to the unusually high (28%) rye content of the recipe. The spicy, fruity, mellow notes and brown sugar notes work well in both Highballs and stirred bourbon classics.

On the nose: more mellow than a lot of entry-level bourbons. Rather than being dominated by barrel spice and vanilla, it offers fruity and floral scents with hints of gentle spice, honey and peach, while still offering the classic bourbon palate.

I am a fan of lazy afternoons accompanied by a nice bourbon Highball. This serve is also always a crowd pleaser for any holiday gathering.

My favourite thing about Four Roses is its accessibility. It's perfect for newcomers to bourbon that want to know more about the spirit category, as well as connoisseurs that appreciate the price point and how well it works for sipping and cocktails. The unique use of multiple mash bills and yeasts provides a more distillate-driven whiskey than most, resulting in unusual complexity and richness of flavour, while still providing all the characteristics of a classic bourbon, honed through more than 130 years of whiskey-making tradition.

Versatility is key with my selection. It sips well and works in classics, but I like it with peach iced tea, a splash of lemon and some simple syrup. Add a sprig of mint for the perfect garnish.

I like no ice for sipping and quality cubes for Highballs. Keeping the spirit at room temperature helps preserve all its flavours, while the ice tempers the more alcoholic notes and the acidic bite of a sparkling Highball. If you're getting into Julep territory, crushed ice is key as this provides the chilling and dilution necessary for a cocktail originally created for really hot summer days.

Opt for a Glencairn glass or Rocks glass for sipping. A lovely Highball glass is also key for longer whiskey cocktails. I'm prone to fun vintage glasses with 70’s aesthetics and experimenting with Bourbon is always a great excuse to invest in a Julep cup!

I like my bourbon with delicious BBQ food. If you're going to go with something American, I'd say go all in. Kentucky style is best as the subtle complexity of this bourbon harmonises nicely with the deep and strong flavours of Kentucky's sauce. If you're looking for something snack-sized, Mimolette cheese and chocolate are my other two pairing faves.