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Bulleit Bourbon vs Penelope Four Grain
Put Bulleit Bourbon next to Penelope Four Grain and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% 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 | ~$25 – $32 ~$7 less | ~$30 – $40 |
- Penelope Four Grain 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
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/3 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- 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 Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).