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Penelope Four Grain vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Penelope Four Grain and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) +2 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$28 – $36 |
- Penelope Four Grain and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/4 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).