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E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Penelope Four Grain
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Penelope Four Grain sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | 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 | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 | ~$30 – $40 ~$70 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/3 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
- 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 E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you with more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).