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Willett Pot Still Reserve vs Penelope Architect
Comparing Willett Pot Still Reserve and Penelope Architect reveals a matchup between a modern, even-keeled craft expression and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Willett Pot Still Reserve | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $60 ~$13 less | ~$60 – $70 |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Willett Pot Still Reserve Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/6 heat: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).