Compare
W.L. Weller Special Reserve vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | W.L. Weller Special Reserve | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$30 – $60 | ~$30 – $40 ~$10 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Penelope Four Grain do not publish an official mash bill.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
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
W.L. Weller Special Reserve Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
spice 2/3 spice: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
oak 4/3 oak: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 3/2 heat: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve: The entry point to the Weller line and an easy introduction to wheated bourbon. Soft honey and vanilla with almost no rye bite, a bread-dough body, and a short, sweet finish that asks nothing of you.
- 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 W.L. Weller Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group with more proof behind it.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a slightly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).