Compare
Penelope Architect vs Woodford Reserve
Put Penelope Architect next to Woodford Reserve and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Architect | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $70 | ~$35 – $42 ~$27 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Architect Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/4 heat: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Architect 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 5/6 oak: Penelope Architect 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Penelope Architect 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Architect 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).