Compare
Woodford Reserve vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing Woodford Reserve and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | 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 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$30 – $40 |
- 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/3 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
oak 6/3 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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 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 if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong 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 (Woodford Reserve); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).