Compare
Penelope Architect vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Comparing Penelope Architect and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $70 | ~$45 – $90 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. 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.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/7 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).