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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 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 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/3 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
spice 6/3 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it 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, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).