Compare
Penelope Architect vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Penelope Architect and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $70 | ~$45 – $55 ~$15 less |
- 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/3 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).