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Penelope Architect vs Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Penelope Architect and Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| 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) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $70 ~$25 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 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.
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
heat 6/8 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 3 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
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 at a lower price point.
- Go with Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)).