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Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) vs Penelope Architect
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) and Penelope Architect sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +6 proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$60 – $70 ~$25 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
heat 8/6 heat: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).