Compare
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof vs Penelope Architect
Put Elijah Craig Barrel Proof next to Penelope Architect and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 124 proof (62% ABV) +20 proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$70 – $100 | ~$60 – $70 ~$20 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/5 oak: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
heat 9/6 heat: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
- 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 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).