Compare
1792 Small Batch vs Penelope Rio
Comparing 1792 Small Batch and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | 1792 Small Batch | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye 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 | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +4 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $34 ~$60 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 1792 Small Batch 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
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
1792 Small Batch Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
- Penelope Rio: Penelope's four-grain blend finished in honey barrels and then amburana wood. It tastes like a cinnamon roll: honey, gingerbread and sweet baking spice.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price without hunting for it.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).