Compare
Penelope Four Grain vs Basil Hayden’s
Penelope Four Grain and Basil Hayden’s sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Basil Hayden’s |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$7 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- Penelope Four Grain and Basil Hayden’s do not publish an official mash bill.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 Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Basil Hayden’s
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Basil Hayden’s
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
oak 3/3 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 5 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Basil Hayden’s 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Penelope Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
- Basil Hayden’s: Built on the high-rye Old Grand-Dad mash but bottled at just 80 proof, which makes it the lightest thing in the Beam range by a distance. Peppery and herbal, but very thin — the price reflects the packaging more than the liquid.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Basil Hayden’s if you want an unusually light, peppery, low-proof pour and you do not want any weight in the glass.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, rocks, highball (Basil Hayden’s).