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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Four Grain
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and Penelope Four Grain sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, wheat-forward classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$30 – $40 ~$110 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Penelope Four Grain 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
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/3 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
spice 2/3 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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 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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle 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 (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).