Compare
Penelope Four Grain vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Comparing Penelope Four Grain and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$33 less | ~$45 – $90 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Penelope Four Grain and E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/7 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch).