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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Architect
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and Penelope Architect reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$15 less | ~$60 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
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Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/5 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a lower price point.
- 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, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).