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Penelope Four Grain vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Penelope Four Grain and Woodford Reserve reveals a matchup between a blender-built, even-keeled bottling and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Four Grain | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ~$35 – $42 |
- 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Four Grain Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 3/6 oak: Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).