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Penelope Architect vs Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Penelope Architect and Michter's US*1 Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | Michter's US*1 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional 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) +13 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $70 | ~$45 – $55 ~$15 less |
- Michter's US*1 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.
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
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Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect Michter's US*1 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/3 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 3 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
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 Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat, rocks (Michter's US*1 Small Batch).