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Penelope Four Grain vs Wild Turkey 81
Penelope Four Grain and Wild Turkey 81 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, classically built bottling versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | Traditional 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) | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 | ~$20 – $25 ~$13 less |
- Penelope Four Grain and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 3/4 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- 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.
- Wild Turkey 81: The same mash bill and No. 4 char as Wild Turkey 101, cut to 81 proof. Honey and toffee come through clearly, but the body and spice are much lighter.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).