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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Penelope Rio
Put Barrell Foundation Bourbon next to Penelope Rio and you have a sourced, high-rye blend set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 ~$35 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- 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 Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending 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, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).