Compare
Penelope Four Grain vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Comparing Penelope Four Grain and W.L. Weller Special Reserve reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | W.L. Weller Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$10 less | ~$30 – $60 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Penelope Four Grain and W.L. Weller Special Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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 Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
spice 3/2 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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 Special Reserve: The entry point to the Weller line and an easy introduction to wheated bourbon. Soft honey and vanilla with almost no rye bite, a bread-dough body, and a short, sweet finish that asks nothing of you.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a slightly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).