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Penelope Architect vs Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Comparing Penelope Architect and Old Grand-Dad Bonded reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | Old Grand-Dad Bonded |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) +4 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $70 | ~$24 – $30 ~$38 less |
- Old Grand-Dad Bonded 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.
Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect Old Grand-Dad Bonded
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
spice 6/8 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 8 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 5 out of 10
heat 6/6 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad Bonded 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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 Grand-Dad Bonded: A bonded 100-proof high-rye bourbon for the price of a mixer, and one of the great bargains on the shelf. Cleaner and less overwhelming than the 114 while keeping the peppery rye backbone.
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.
- Go with Old Grand-Dad Bonded if you want a bonded, high-rye workhorse at mixer money.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad Bonded).