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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Penelope Architect
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Penelope Architect sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +22 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 ~$33 less | ~$60 – $70 |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/6 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- 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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).