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Penelope Architect vs Stagg
Comparing Penelope Architect and Stagg reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| 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) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $70 ~$30 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Stagg 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.
Stagg
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Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
heat 6/10 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, Stagg 7 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
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 significantly lower price point.
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat (Stagg).