Compare
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Penelope Four Grain
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to Penelope Four Grain and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +40 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/2 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
oak 8/3 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
spice 7/3 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
nuttiness 7/4 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- 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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).