Compare
Old Forester 100 Proof vs Penelope Four Grain
Put Old Forester 100 Proof next to Penelope Four Grain and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 ~$6 less | ~$30 – $40 |
- 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 Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
oak 6/3 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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 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 Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).