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Bulleit Bourbon vs Penelope Toasted Series
On paper Bulleit Bourbon and Penelope Toasted Series are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$25 – $32 vs. ~$55 – $70) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$34 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 5/7 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
spice 7/5 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).