Compare
Penelope Four Grain vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Comparing Penelope Four Grain and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$28 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/8 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
oak 3/8 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 2/7 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).