Compare
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Architect
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and Penelope Architect sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$60 – $70 ~$80 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/6 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
- 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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).