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Penelope Four Grain vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Put Penelope Four Grain next to Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B and you have a blender-built, corn-forward bottling set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$500 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Penelope Four Grain and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/6 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
spice 3/3 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 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.
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B: Twelve-year wheated bourbon from the Van Winkle line. Soft and balanced, with butterscotch, toffee and caramel and a gentle, spiced finish.
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 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B if you want a soft, balanced, 12-year wheater from the Van Winkle line with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).