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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Penelope Architect
Old Forester 100 Proof and Penelope Architect sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 ~$36 less | ~$60 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/5 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).