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Four Roses Single Barrel vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Four Roses Single Barrel and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% 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 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less |
- 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 6/2 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
oak 6/3 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
- 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 Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range with more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).