Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | 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 | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$30 – $40 ~$15 less |
- Penelope Four Grain does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/3 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
heat 3/2 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series with more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).