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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +30 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$30 – $40 ~$28 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Penelope Four Grain does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
oak 8/3 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 7/2 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with significantly more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).