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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Penelope Architect
Put Jack Daniel’s 12 Year next to Penelope Architect and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +3 proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$60 – $70 ~$35 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
heat 6/6 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).