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Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish vs Penelope Four Grain
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Penelope Four Grain sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish | 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 | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) +11 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$90 – $130 | ~$30 – $40 ~$75 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/3 oak: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
- 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 Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor with 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 (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).