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Blanton’s Single Barrel vs Penelope Architect
Put Blanton’s Single Barrel next to Penelope Architect and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Blanton’s Single Barrel | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $150 | ~$60 – $70 ~$50 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel 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
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
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Flavor Profile
Blanton’s Single Barrel Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/6 heat: Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
- 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 Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).