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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Penelope Four Grain
Put Jefferson's Reserve Very Old next to Penelope Four Grain and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) +10 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 | ~$30 – $40 ~$25 less |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/3 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
- 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 Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).