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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Jack Daniel’s 12 Year and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +27 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$30 – $40 ~$65 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Penelope Four Grain does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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 Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/3 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 6/2 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with significantly more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).