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Penelope Architect vs 1792 Small Batch
Penelope Architect and 1792 Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | 1792 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +10 proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $70 | ~$26 – $34 ~$35 less |
- 1792 Small Batch 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
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect 1792 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 3 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice with more proof behind it.
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch).