Compare
Penelope Four Grain vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Comparing Penelope Four Grain and W.L. Weller 12 Year reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| 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 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$90 less | ~$70 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Penelope Four Grain and W.L. Weller 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/7 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 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.
- W.L. Weller 12 Year: Twelve years on a wheated mash at a modest 90 proof, which is the combination that made this bottle famous. Deep caramel and baked fruit with polished rather than aggressive oak — the closest widely-discussed analogue to the Pappy profile.
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 W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).