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Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$16 less | ~$30 – $40 |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/4 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
- 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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).