Compare
Penelope Four Grain vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Penelope Four Grain and Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, wheat-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$110 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/7 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).