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Buffalo Trace vs Penelope Four Grain
Put Buffalo Trace next to Penelope Four Grain and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$30 – $40 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/3 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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 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 Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price with more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).