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Four Roses Small Batch vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Four Roses Small Batch and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Small Batch | 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 | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$32 – $38 | ~$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 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Small Batch Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
- 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 Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template 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, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).