Compare
Penelope Four Grain vs Four Roses Bourbon
Penelope Four Grain and Four Roses Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Four Roses Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$22 – $28 ~$10 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.
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Four Roses Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/5 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 3/3 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Four Roses Bourbon 2 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.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
- Go with Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon).