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Penelope Four Grain vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Penelope Four Grain and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Four-Grain Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $40 ~$21 less | ~$50 – $62 |
- Penelope Four Grain does 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.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/9 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
spice 3/5 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a lower price point.
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).