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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Penelope Four Grain
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Penelope Four Grain sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +10 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $62 | ~$30 – $40 ~$21 less |
- 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
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/3 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
spice 5/3 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
- 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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon with 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).