Compare
Penelope Four Grain vs Bulleit Bourbon
Put Penelope Four Grain next to Bulleit Bourbon and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a sourced, high-rye blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$25 – $32 ~$7 less |
- Penelope Four Grain 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 Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/7 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).