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Basil Hayden’s vs Penelope Four Grain
Basil Hayden’s and Penelope Four Grain sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Basil Hayden’s | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$30 – $40 ~$7 less |
- Basil Hayden’s and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Basil Hayden’s Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
oak 3/3 oak: Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
- Penelope Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).