Compare
Four Roses Bourbon vs Penelope Four Grain
Four Roses Bourbon and Penelope Four Grain sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$10 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
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/3 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
oak 3/3 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).