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Penelope Four Grain vs Maker's Mark
Comparing Penelope Four Grain and Maker's Mark reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% 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.
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
- Go with Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).