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Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) vs Penelope Rio
Put Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) next to Penelope Rio and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | 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 | 110 proof (55% ABV) +12 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$80 – $100 |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 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
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 8/5 heat: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/9 sweetness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
- 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 Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).