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Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Four Grain
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond and Penelope Four Grain sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$16 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
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/3 oak: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond: Arguably the best value in all of bourbon: a bonded 100-proof Kentucky whiskey for under twenty dollars. Straightforward vanilla and caramel with just enough oak, and nothing at all to apologise for.
- 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 Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, honest, full-proof Kentucky bourbon for the price of a cocktail.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).