Compare
Elijah Craig Small Batch vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Elijah Craig Small Batch and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Small Batch | 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 | 94 proof (47% ABV) +14 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$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
Elijah Craig Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Small Batch Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/3 oak: Elijah Craig Small Batch 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Elijah Craig Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Elijah Craig Small Batch: A heavily oak-driven pour for the money, with vanilla bean and brown sugar riding on top of real char and smoke. The extra age shows up as wood depth rather than harshness.
- 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 Elijah Craig Small Batch if you want the best oak-forward value on the shelf, with more wood character than its price suggests with more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Elijah Craig Small Batch); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).