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Four Roses Small Batch Select vs Penelope Toasted Series
On paper Four Roses Small Batch Select and Penelope Toasted Series are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (104 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch Select | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$55 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Select Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/4 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch Select 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Four Roses Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle.
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).