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Old Grand-Dad Bonded vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Old Grand-Dad Bonded and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Grand-Dad Bonded | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% 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 | ~$24 – $30 ~$8 less | ~$30 – $40 |
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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 Grand-Dad Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Grand-Dad Bonded Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 6/2 heat: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded: A bonded 100-proof high-rye bourbon for the price of a mixer, and one of the great bargains on the shelf. Cleaner and less overwhelming than the 114 while keeping the peppery rye backbone.
- 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 Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money with more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).