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Woodford Reserve vs Penelope Architect
Put Woodford Reserve next to Penelope Architect and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 ~$27 less | ~$60 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/6 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
- 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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong 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, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).