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Buffalo Trace vs Penelope Architect
Buffalo Trace and Penelope Architect sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$34 less | ~$60 – $70 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace 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
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/6 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- 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 Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).