Compare
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Penelope Rio
Put E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel next to Penelope Rio and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 | ~$80 – $100 ~$15 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 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
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
- 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 E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).