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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs Penelope Rio
Put Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat next to Penelope Rio and you have a contemporary, high-wheat craft build set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) +8 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 ~$38 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
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Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 3/6 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
- 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).