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Penelope Four Grain vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Penelope Four Grain and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$16 – $22 ~$16 less |
- Penelope Four Grain and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/5 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).