Behind the scenes of a Four Roses barrel pick

Ask a bourbon lover about their bucket-list barrel pick, and chances are “Four Roses” is at the top. Why? Because a Four Roses barrel pick isn’t just a tasting—it’s an experience. Unlike most big distilleries, which offer a few barrels to choose from, Four Roses brings out the heavy hitters: all 10 of their bourbon recipes. Yes, you read that right. You get to thieve, taste, and choose from barrels representing every recipe in their playbook. Talk about a bourbon lover’s paradise.

But here’s the rub—most bourbon lovers will never get the chance to attend a Four Roses pick. These experiences are typically reserved for retailers, bars, and a lucky few charity and bourbon groups. That’s where we come in. As one of the privileged groups invited to participate, Bourbon & Banter makes sure to share the experience with our community. In fact, just over a week ago, we headed to Kentucky with a few of our members to select an incredible barrel that’ll be bottled in January and (fingers crossed) available for purchase in February.

Now, we know not everyone can snag a spot on the trip—Four Roses limits the group size to six people—but we’ve got you covered. We documented the whole experience to give our entire community a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be part of a Bourbon & Banter Four Roses barrel pick.

If you’re itching to join us on a future pick, here’s how: sign up as a paid member at the Curious Drinker tier or higher. Members at this level get entries into our Barrel Pick Trip Lottery for every planned pick. It’s your shot to turn a bourbon bucket list item into a reality.

And it doesn’t stop there. Joining the Bourbon & Banter Community means more than just barrel picks. You’ll get priority access to bottles, exclusive content, invites to members-only events, and a front-row seat to honest reviews and industry insights. It’s all about connecting with fellow bourbon enthusiasts and making your bourbon journey richer—and a hell of a lot more fun.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up, sip up, and let’s make bourbon history together.